Robert Wright
Fundamentalism vs. Modernity: A Worldcentric Perspective
Robert Wright, evolutionary philosopher and contributing
editor at The New Republic, Time, and
Slate.com, is also a regular contributor to WIE
Unbound. In this conversation with Carter Phipps,
Wright looks at the growing phenomenon of political and
religious fundamentalism as a direct reaction to the global
spread of progressive ideologies.
Given civilization's inexorable forward motion, identifying
and implementing creative strategies to decrease potentially
crippling polarization is essential. But actually bridging this
gap between the world's postmodern and premodern cultures is no
small challenge. Undaunted, Wright and Phipps pursue solutions
to a few of the more pressing issues we face today:
- Can a truly postmodern (that is, non-mythological) religion
develop without directly threatening God-based beliefs and
traditional theologies?
- Is it possible for progressive, pluralistic, social
ideologies and attitudes to spread without upending tribal and traditional cultures?
- When will theology fully embrace the scientific, evolutionary
perspective and when will materialists show more humility in the
face of the metaphysical?
As if saving the planet weren't enough, Part 2 of this
Unbound audio features Phipps getting serious about the
presidential race in 2008, with Wright weighing in on a few favorite positions and players.
more about: