Liberal Learning: Open Minds and Open Debate with Cornel West & Robert George

In spirited discussion, Robert George and Cornel West hold firm on the value of open debate and liberal arts education at Brandeis University. The two leading public intellectuals model productive disagreement in an age of outrage.
Read more about the event: www.brandeis.edu/now/2018/octo...
More events at Brandeis, visit: www.brandeis.edu/events

[@stephaniehighgate757]

My brother West, thx u for having integrity and truth in your heart and soul!!!

[@adikaaniedobe6339]

I love listening to Cornel West speak

[@michaelbrickley2443]

He is a thinking man who makes one think….

[@brianholmes5111]

@@michaelbrickley2443 to

[@FireinTheBowl]

@Michael Brickley he's a confusing man who jumps around. He makes grandiose and verbose statements and then will go into another thought without any clarity or explanation. I don't get how people don't see this

[@FreshTake01]

Yes yes Brother West!

[@PhreezyOnTheBeat]

Cornel and Robert are incredible together. Excellent speaking off the cuff -- how incredibly impressive to behold.

[@neiltonferreirajunior357]

Love professor West. Amazing debate and intevention by professor George. Thanks for sharing. Obrigado.

[@victormorgado5318]

"Plato as someone who could never find content, fully content with the answer" this comment really revealed to me ( a former philosophy major) the obvious path to empiricism and the emptiness of modern life. Cornel West stands as the unique being who enters the path of empiricism, yet, survives it through the grasp of his own Black experience in love, jazz and devotion, it is his loyalty to the elementary essence of the afro american spirituality what has shielded him from the contradictions of inevitable atheism in the culture of permanently questioning the "Truth" without surrendering the ego.

[@teardrop-in-a-fishbowl]

Hmm, "... shielded him from the contradictions of inevitable atheism in the culture of permanently questioning the "Truth" ." I don´t know what you mean by "the Truth", because even "facts" change and as the main part of "truth". We should always be skeptical, no matter in what field, what leads to, in the question of every faith, to atheism. Truth is often only a opinion, that´s why we have still faith systems which contradicting reality and truth itself.

[@nothingandnooneisreal3985]

Man being fallible and temporal should lend credence to the fact that there must be more outside of self. Atheism is the only obvious answer to the problem of man’s incredible limitations........ for some as in both of these gentlemen and others is God. They both survived not through black experience (black?!) or (white) experience, but through an instilling of the knowledge of God at early ages. The temporary and fallible constructs of mere men can do nothing for other mere men but frustrate. If a man never looks outside of himself he’s a fool.

[@slimtimesl.l.c4614]

@@nothingandnooneisreal3985 ?

[@nothingandnooneisreal3985]

@@slimtimesl.l.c4614 ...............?

[@fishheadlemonsnack824]

I love hearing this man, Cornell West, Doctor West, speak. What a wonderful man we have here.

[@stevewoodson4635]

Kanye Grand canyon. Uncle maybe so great mostly because even if you want to come first served in sounds like fun and you can get it from somewhere else

[@FireinTheBowl]

an academic loudmouth with a good show business game. He has perfected a variety of poses - from academic to conciliator to rapper - that are intended to give the impression that a very substantial mind is mulling over something and will soon drop some rhetorical bombs that will blow away all nonsense. A staple figure in American comedy is the pompous, educated fool, drowning in narcissism.

[@rf7453]

As someone who transitioned from engineering to finance, I must say that my liberal arts courses are the ones which remained in my thoughts throughout the years. It has shaped and expanded my thinking and got me in a bit of trouble once with a lecturer of financial risk management, as I disagreed with a particular resolve to ensure profitability, despite the "mathematically logical" pathway; neo economics vs developmental economics. I see that there is a serious gap in integrity as we make major advances in all parts of life. While this isn't entirely new, it's proliferation is taking us into a very dangerous place.

[@CarlyonProduction]

Sad thing is there is no place for Robert in the modern Republican Party. Then again, there is no place for Cornell in the modern Democratic Party. This could be a good indication that politics is broken

[@cottrelldavis1375]

God is Good, Thank God for Y'all, Blessings.

[@Nicole-ww4lg]

vocational training should not be the point of a university education and it wasn't the point until very recently. there are vocational schools for vocational training

[@hawaiiankickboxer]

Sad to see so many negative comments...You HAVE to know math to appreciate Einstein. Those who appreciate the profound wisdom of this talk are the few with spiritual insight

[@danielscheinhaus5210]

What Robert George tells us is true -- to a great extent. One problem is that as you pursue truth, at the same time you wish to further the progress of your society, because in your seeking of the truth you wish to further the benefits of seeking the truth throughout your society. How can you do this when you can't be pursuing that goal with total conviction, constantly questioning whether a decision you make is the right one? Another problem not questioned here is that the institutions Prof. George lauds are all private schools which inherently deny access to so many young people who would seek the truth if they could afford the price of admission. An important goal, I would think, is that all these private institutions be made public and freely available to all those who would wish to undergo the rigors of learning and seeking the truth. Obviously, that would require government money.

[@Paul-wu7xd]

I wish they'd write a book together, especially within this current political landscape, which has become tremendously toxic.

[@TempestTheBlaze]

I feel like they could do something like an "Either/Or" type of book.

[@arshawnkelly5874]

Good idea. It would be a great life reference book.

[@zelinskymatt]

Fantastic dialogue between George as a towering catholic thinker and West a great intellectually honest professor

[@bwilliams1815]

I needed this more than I thought. I thought these ideas were dead. Praying that more people learn to connect with people of all backgrounds and not fear losing themselves for it.

[@ehand07]

Two men of intellectual integrity

[@mb4782]

Two men talk the talk with the walk to sell books.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

@@mb4782 it’s not like selling books is a bad thing. Swindling people into thinking meaningfully about life instead of just chasing the latest meme is, after all, quite the crime!

[@Jimiai]

such a breath of fresh air

[@greenbastard4586]

Sophomore at Swarthmore. Got a nice ring to it.

[@ArseneArteta_]

Begins @39:40

[@amyjanedoe]

This is the comment I was lookingfor 12mins in

[@drgeorgetayloriii4280]

Thank you!!

[@paulasmith5673]

maturation of a compassionate soul!!

[@arshawnkelly5874]

This is DEEP! Is there a end? I'm guessing that we are always seeking the truth of the of truth of that truth........... until our end.

[@venelaldajuste7006]

Nice stuff!

[@olliey81]

Let the phone be smart, you better be something deeper

[@louismartin6082]

And trust and believe ( i ) WOULD MUCH LIKE uno

[@klauserino]

the Truth is sought for the sake of everyone, not simply Truth.

[@Captain_Kel]

Im mad that y’all cut this discussion short for a damn dinner.

[@nicholassaastano5558]

Cornel West is known doubt a brilliant man to learn from. I may not agree with everything especially hes think but he is fascinating to listen to

[@robertvorass3547]

Brilliant

[@TheAcidDrip]

*Thank god for the President Ron Liebowitz of Brandeis University. I read the guy's policy on Free Speech and he's no slouch. Gotta respect the dude for supporting the University of Chicago Free Speech Policies.* *This is something Jonathan Haidt, Steve Pinker and Jordan Peterson have all supported, free and open inquiry in the forum of rigorous public debate. This next section is taken from his letter affirming the Chicago Principles.* "The University of Chicago, perhaps the university most known for taking a stance on freedom of expression, included the following in its 2015 statement: 'In narrowly-defined circumstances, the university may properly restrict expression, for example, that violates the law, is threatening, harassing, or defamatory, or invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests. Moreover, the University may reasonably regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure that it does not disrupt the ordinary activities of the University.' Princeton University, which adopted principles on freedom of expression in 2015 based on Chicago’s document, also noted when such freedom might be limited: 'The freedom to debate and discuss the merits of competing ideas does not, of course, mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish. The University may restrict expression that violates the law, that falsely defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the University.” Therefore, following the period of public comment at Brandeis, I proposed that the Board of Trustees adopt the principles as put forth by the Presidential Task Force on Free Expression, with the addition of a sixth principle, which discusses time, place, and manner restrictions.'" *He lists the first 5 principles which are the same as the Chicago ones, then adds a sixth. Which is as follows,* "6. Institutional Restrictions The freedom to debate and discuss ideas does not mean that individuals may say whatever they wish, wherever they wish, or however they wish. In narrowly-defined circumstances, the university may restrict expression, as for example, that violates the law, that falsely defames a specific individual, that constitutes a genuine threat or harassment, that unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests, or that is otherwise directly incompatible with the functioning of the university. With these principles now adopted, the university will undertake a review of all related policies to ensure they are consistent with and support these principles. Brandeis is far from alone among colleges and universities in recognizing the need to review the protection and promotion of free expression on our campus. At its most recent meeting in April, the presidents of the 62 leading research universities in North America that make up the Association of American Universities endorsed a statement on free speech. I want to quote from its opening sentences, which underscore the importance of free expression in higher education: “The free and open exchange of ideas and information is fundamental to the educational mission of AAU universities. The robust discussions and debates that occur at research universities have been central to the advancement of democracy, the creation of new knowledge, the fostering of educational excellence, and the promotion of social progress.” The principles adopted by the Brandeis Board of Trustees are consistent with the AAU statement and are critical to fulfilling our mission as a leading institution of higher education." *This means Brandeis is one more University committed to a genuine education. I wish I could say the same thing about San Francisco State University, I know, I'm enrolled in a Master's Program there for Special Education.* *Source:* www.brandeis.edu/president/letters/2018-10-10-principles-free-speech-expression.html

[@ObjectiveBob]

1:00:00

[@dnyledenial3780]

I got to pay a lot for this education, To seek truth, how I'm gone pay it back?

[@daimon00000]

The Robert's account about sophists is unreliable. See Schiappa's criticism. About what Robert said about truth, I desagree. The truth is some unrecognizable but not the solidarity.

[@ruqiyaxasan4898]

I always wonder why people don't like to watch debates, but lot of them watch silly staff online by millions ,just wondering does anyone have an answer please.

[@FourWheelMotion]

I'd not normally consider this a debate. Only the last few minutes of a large time block was spent in an exchange. It was mostly two sermons and a couple long intros.

[@abubakarsidoow8661]

Keep doing what you're doing my dear sister

[@nothingandnooneisreal3985]

People are dumbed down and don’t have the intellectual heft or focus to hold on to deep water conversations.

[@user-em3ew1yl4f]

The ultimate answer is 'you'. Have the courage to find your own voice and speak out.

[@FireinTheBowl]

Dr. West is the expressively stunted, coldly artificial meandering of narcissistic psuedo-intellectual poseurs. flatulence is to oratory. He says nothing, but he says it well and with charisma, but he is so scattered with his word salad verbose rhyming and then moves immediately to another topic without offering anything of depth about his statements. I have watched hundreds of debates and everytime I hear Dr. West speak I can't understand or follow his logic. He is masterful at evoking emotion, without offering anything that resembles a clear point. He is a charming A.D.D. preacher

[@stangetz534]

starts 7:57

[@greenbastard4586]

Thank you Stan

[@klauserino]

WE WANT THEM BECAUSE WE LOVE.

[@dreamindreamoutnow1445]

With due respect to unmarketable integrity. Thanks to compatible disagreement.

[@stevewoodson4635]

Jesus Christ

[@klauserino]

...THE TRUTH...

[@klauserino]

We don't know who we are when we step off the train.

[@klauserino]

NO. It's LOVE man; you wrap around it with your very remains and belongings.

[@hawaiiankickboxer]

Amazingly rich & unique ...Why don't we have more of these....

[@azmildman]

Why do people who introduce speakers always seem to forget for a while that the audience isn't there to hear them? "I don't want to take up too much time (YAK YAK YAK YAK)."

[@louise-yo7kz]

I fast forward

[@klauserino]

Philosophy=LOVE OF WISDOM. Not Wisdom...

[@johnnybosox]

I’m a conservative but really like Cornell West. He’s actually a normal democrat which is rare these days

[@willroman3595]

He’s a communist…

[@klauserino]

Your avatar is fulfilling the wish of Freedom.

[@FreshTake01]

Dr. Cornel West helps us grasp with the dichotomy that is existence and truth.

[@taylorrobeug2044]

I missed the debate

[@klauserino]

I hope Cornel's not a Capitalist!

[@klauserino]

I think Brother West is influenced by Pasolini. I Love Him...

[@hpebackwards]

That second intro was Dave Rubin tier cringe.

[@daimon00000]

West is a splendid speaker.

[@bissboos3669]

❤❤

[@ard1805]

A guy with two last names, and a guy with two first names.

[@victormorgado5318]

good observation, that is a true synchronicity of two destined to meet.

[@jacoblevenson7934]

20:46

[@carrieraupp757]

Can’t afford not to have a liberal arts education

[@mikemcintyre7084]

Liberal Arts fine tune our humanity.

[@C3yl0]

I’m so happy that I found Dr.Cornel one of the many amazing erudites in the field of Philosophy.

[@FireinTheBowl]

He draws from everything and everyone in creating a philosophical outlook that has no definite form, takes no position on anything, and can’t seem to make a clear and precise statement as to what he actually stands for. overpowering wave of vague generalities and moralistic slogans in which nothing is worked through in a systematic way.

[@darreljames7453]

Wowwwwwwwww!

[@unilez]

Tell it Brother West, tell it 👍🏿

[@klauserino]

The owners-the-means-of-production want to appropriate the Truth-Seekers.

[@09BiGDylan]

Isn't conservatism philosophically opposed to equality?

[@ernestmoney7252]

Not opposed to it, just realistic and mature enough to understand that it cannot be a feature of human communities without coercion. Liberty, equality, fraternity. If you have liberty, you will not have equality; if you have equality, you must take away liberty; in either case, you will not get much fraternity.

[@ivandafoe5451]

@@ernestmoney7252 Such a concise and neatly wrapped package, you could put a bow on it. However it's far too simplistic and narrow-minded to be considered "mature" nor is it "realistic". You appear to be ignoring Dr. West's warnings about dogmatism and certainty creeping into one's opinions.

[@ernestmoney7252]

@@ivandafoe5451 Sorry troll, not taking the bait.

[@jessesnyder5426]

True in a way. Conservatives are smart enough to realize that equality of outcomes is impossible.

[@stevej.7926]

@@jessesnyder5426 Equality is a much broader term here. We are born equal under God. That must be fostered and defended, not lost in economic or social "definitions" of equality.

[@slappy420usa]

I try to think and not believe. A thought is open to change, open to new ideas and points of view. A belief is much harder to alter. Our world view is rooted in belief, and in being so it leaves us open to the danger of our world view being shattered and the human response to world view shattering information is too often an emotional response, a knee jerk reaction that if we are thinking people , we later regret. Think , don't believe. Be open to being wrong, pursue being wrong, force your thoughts to be grounded in irrefutable, unassailable truth.

[@socialrevolution7238]

Cornel West is Martin Luter King and Malcom X!!

[@markotomicic5418]

Yes, he is absolutely awesome...

[@coocoolefool]

No, Cornel West is Martin Luther King. Malcolm X had little time for pandering to liberals. West loves comfortably in the liberal sphere.

[@markrobby7136]

Mr West opponent was more less up there to subtletly on side attack rather than making his own points or arguments.

[@user-em3ew1yl4f]

You may have misinterpreted half of the discussion. I saw two individuals who are in agreement on a fundamental basis however in disagreement on the specific solution.

[@henrywyman2458]

It's boring, spending so much time, prepping up each other, and leaving only space for 2 questions.

[@MoSec9]

9:42 "Provoked by the teachers of man kind" he said. When did human civilization meant only Greece and Europe? Call it western if you wish, but I can think of a lot of other names that sound very different. I know it's mostly innocent but it's arrogant and it's a problem.

[@Lerian_V]

Where else did liberal arts and humanities develop?

[@chalkywhite2598]

@@Lerian_V Africa…. Formal education as we know it started in Africa

[@Lerian_V]

@@chalkywhite2598 Where in Africa?

[@klauserino]

Socrates was the Real Plato.

[@klauserino]

...Socrates is the Real Plato precisely to the extent that one's fantasy is one's Reality...

[@klauserino]

Jobs need to be prepared for us. 😊

[@99honker]

Concerning "open debate": What about the Ayaan Hirsi Ali de-platforming at Brandeis?

[@jessesnyder5426]

Yes. And she is a brilliant, kind, informed treasure. These schools only permit leftist garbage.

[@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9]

No thanks.

[@jessesnyder5426]

How come West never gets to the point?

[@nomsashezi9775]

He does...it just takes intentional listening to hear the arch of his speech...anything less would be like asking Shakespeare to summarise a sonnet or Nina Simone a song🌸

[@jessesnyder5426]

@@nomsashezi9775 West said " if the glove don't fit you must acquit. Nick nack paddy wack give the dog a bone".

[@jessesnyder5426]

@@nomsashezi9775 So tell me something that he said; summarize it.

[@FireinTheBowl]

Exactly! How people don't see his showman debating style is beyond me. He has Charisma and likeability, but he says nothing. He explains nothing. He will hit on a topic with reverence in his voice, but never sites anything. He never offers any statistics or a serious look at a topic. It's nonsensical pseudo-intellectual poseurs word salad and nobody ever calls him on it. It really amazes me

[@FireinTheBowl]

@nomsa shezi that would make him a preacher or a poet, but by no means is this man an intellectual on any level. Thomas Sowell is. He will site statistics, history and impericale data. Dr West never offers anything but big words that rhyme and an emotional style of conveying something. Not one thing he says does he back up. He is a Charming Huckster. Most scholars think this, but they are too scared of being called a racist to point out all his logical fallacies

[@julietrankin870]

Robert you are wrong .you should say humans off colour

[@anotherlevel-e3121]

Begins 9:20 thank me later

[@HeywardSanders-dy8vi]

You can move to the left, or you can move to what you call your right, but only a fool who can't see your moves. That you will have many following you that are not fools, who want to bring those concepts to their schools. That the eyes of the straight know it's not cool.

[@julietrankin870]

I think cornel got upset when it was mentioned he got arrested by that cop.bet he had a shit time because he’s a human off colour.

[@klauserino]

unheimlich.

[@heeren63]

I love listening to Cornel and his philosophical ideas; I just find it so it disheartening that the white male must have the last day, have more time expressing their views and are the ‘know it all’s’ sad! Will this ever change?

[@andrewguerra9343]

Liberal arts degree: future janitor!

[@alimo2000]

West should be a supreme justice

[@tigerstyle4505]

Even as an anarchist I sometimes feel, as an immediate reaction, that things would be near utopia if he was, but I have to disagree. His position with the people is what guides his worldview and to lift him above us in any way would fundamentally change it. It's something he has even spoken on. Power and authority harm those in those privileged positions in ways that are different from those they inflict their will on but that are no less negative. Radical democracy and the dismantling of unjust hierarchy, authority, power, etc, and institutions that are above the people should be abolished and replaced with institutions of, by and for the people is his way around it. 👍

[@rickydee5863]

Eloquent talk fest .kind of like Nero playing the fiddle while rome burned. They are imprisoned within their intellects

[@Cow21691]

Absurd. How else are you to change the world for the long-term than teaching young people to think?

[@danielhall4198]

Everything is just black and white with Cornell West. The man refuses to acknowledge any of his own biases. Every time he speaks he's just talking about how he's black or "chocolate". I think Thomas Sowell is way smarter than this guy.

[@user-em3ew1yl4f]

You are precisely the kind of victim a conversation like this is meant to unsettle and send forth with enlightened perspective. Give it another go around.

[@jessesnyder5426]

Get a liberal arts education but don't expect the government to bail out your student loans. Learn to face the consequence of your decisions and actions.

[@RedemptionMinistries77803]

#TheNakedBible #jude3project

[@klauserino]

URSPRUNG.

[@rbspider]

He says a lot but says nothing.

[@neguhjoe]

maybe you should give it another listen... slowly, this time.

[@onekerri1]

West aint looking for truth.

[@marcyfan]

for the most part he finds it!