Consequences Matter: Thomas Sowell on “Social Justice Fallacies” | Uncommon Knowledge

Recorded on September 7, 2023.
Thomas Sowell, age 93, is the Rose and Milton Friedman Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution. With his usual fierceness and feistiness intact, Dr. Sowell returns to Uncommon Knowledge with Peter Robinson to discuss his latest book (he’s published over 40 titles over his career), Social Justice Fallacies. In this wide-ranging interview, Dr. Sowell discusses the consequences of our society’s embarking on a quest for equality at the expense of merit. Even if every group in society is given an equal chance, he explains, these groups will end up with disparate levels of income or education. Dr. Sowell also criticizes the concept of systemic racism; his research reveals it doesn’t appear to apply to blacks (watch the interview to see why that word isn’t capitalized here) who are married. The interview concludes with Dr. Sowell reading a moving passage from his book.
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[@rangerone8813]

Thomas Sowell is a national treasure.

[@hederahelix622]

My ass he is. During the Republican primary of the 2016 presidential election, Sowell criticized Donald Trump, questioning whether Trump had "any principles at all, other than promoting Donald Trump?" Two weeks before the 2016 presidential election, Sowell recommended voters to vote for Trump over Hillary Clinton, because he would be "easier to impeach". In 2018, when asked on his thoughts of Trump's presidency, Sowell replied, "I think he's better than the previous president." At least Mitt Romney has principles, Sowell just loooked left and right and said well everyone else in my tribe is supporting him so I'd better do that too.

[@fanvalryinc6527]

@@hederahelix622and your point is?. He should have had the foresight to know Trump would be great? Or he isn’t allowed the grace to make wrong calls ?

[@mrsmokestacks21]

@@hederahelix622😂 Did you interview him yourself to ask why his opinions changed? Over the course of years?!? My opinion of Trump changed after his election. It changed during his first two years. It changed in his last two years. Trump was certainly a mixed bag.

[@DCRugger320]

@@hederahelix622😂😂😂😂

[@bernardwongibe5118]

@@hederahelix622 are you saying a man's greatness is determined by his support for Trump? I'm a black guy and Trump is my idol, yet I won't look at Sowell any less because he was shortsighted (like many others) in regards to Trump.

[@ccreasman]

“A high IQ and low information is a very dangerous combination.” Wonderful, Dr. Sowell!

[@esterhudson5104]

👏👏

[@SlicedWrist]

His mind is sharper at 93 than Joe Biden’s was at 35.

[@Adfu.]

I never thought I’d ever see another uncommon knowledge featuring Dr Thomas Sowell again in my life. This man never ceases to surprise!

[@elviscumez]

"In politics, the goal is not truth, but votes" -Thomas Sowell

[@serrajav]

93 and he just published a book! One can only dream to get to old age with a mind so sharp and wise like Dr. Sowell

[@AD-gu6sr]

Was missing Mr.Sowell. Overjoyed to see him back.

[@scott555]

The whitest of white pills is that Dr. Sowell is still with us, and hardly diminished by his age. What a treat to hear him.

[@okabome]

Why is this man not known by everyone?? A true national treasure

[@TheMidnightCzar]

Thomas Sowell is one of the intellectual giants of our age. Any opportunity to hear him speak is a real blessing, and of course any Peter Robinson interview is always a real treat. Thank God for Thomas Sowell and the good work of Peter Robinson and the Hoover Institution.

[@hederahelix622]

My ass he is. During the Republican primary of the 2016 presidential election, Sowell criticized Donald Trump, questioning whether Trump had "any principles at all, other than promoting Donald Trump?" Two weeks before the 2016 presidential election, Sowell recommended voters to vote for Trump over Hillary Clinton, because he would be "easier to impeach". In 2018, when asked on his thoughts of Trump's presidency, Sowell replied, "I think he's better than the previous president." At least Mitt Romney has principles, Sowell just loooked left and right and said well everyone else in my tribe is supporting him so I'd better do that too.

[@boki98737]

​@@hederahelix622 Nobody cares what you think.

[@Matthew_Prescott]

@@hederahelix622 It seems like his dislike of President Trump was pretty consistent, actually. Being better than Obama is still an extremely low bar, and if that's the only thing to be said about a President, it's hardly "high praise." Nevertheless, Trump would go on to win over many people who he initially alienated across the spectrum, so changing one's mind about him over time seems to have been pretty commonplace. So what is your point? Are you suggesting that you can only be an intellectual giant if you like Trump? Or are you saying changing one's mind is a sign of weakness? Voting for a candidate as the lesser of two evils while still not entirely being happy with the person you vote for/endorse is the history of every American election ever for a lot of people. Who you vote for and support politically is not a hallmark of intelligence, so your ad-hominem fails. Also, calling Mitt Romney "principled" is about as coherent as the rest of your contribution to this thread.

[@christineweiss7995]

¹l5l6py 4:45 qi😢oh jk Luo io🎉f2o9ioo9l oh

[@christineweiss7995]

​@@hederahelix622tfgr2ewi I😢lukok i 891-3497 I injured htq egg 1f😢i45😮😢

[@mensrea1251]

I wish there were a way to just keep this man alive, healthy and productive for the next 100 years. The world needs Sowell more than ever I think.

[@johnhughes2043]

Dr Sowell is an American icon. I’m a 70 year old white male that grew up in the south, was educated in the public school system with many black classmates. Those classmates comparatively did just as well as any of us. Years after high school I ran into a friend from high school that had gotten his law degree and had started a “store front” neighborhood practice in his families neighborhood after being disillusioned as a corporate attorney. I remember him getting EXTREMELY pissed when he was identified in a news article as an “African - American” attorney. He responded in an op-ed piece “I ‘m an AMERICAN of African decent that happens to practice law!” I believe this is the premise of Dr. Sowell’s points, as Americans we ARE equal if we choose to be. We can not let todays political bs divide us.

[@gstephenson9442]

Hearing this 93 year old talk with far more intellect than I do at 30, I realise this is a voice from the past sharing his wisdom on society today.

[@SenseofAwareness]

Dearest Thomas Sowell - may you live even longer and prosper! Thank you for the gift you have given the human race, for your wisdom, humour, kindness, humanity, and humility. ❤

[@hederahelix622]

During the Republican primary of the 2016 presidential election, Sowell criticized Donald Trump, questioning whether Trump had "any principles at all, other than promoting Donald Trump?" Two weeks before the 2016 presidential election, Sowell recommended voters to vote for Trump over Hillary Clinton, because he would be "easier to impeach". In 2018, when asked on his thoughts of Trump's presidency, Sowell replied, "I think he's better than the previous president." At least Mitt Romney has principles, Sowell just loooked left and right and said well everyone else in my tribe is supporting him so I'd better do that too.

[@jannyjt2034]

The best quote ever, "A high IQ and low information is the most dangerous combination ever." Right on Sowell!

[@markyuto6820]

Smart people at the same dumb.

[@flparkermdpc]

Wise, AND funny!

[@blue-fj9ky]

When KZbin sent me here I thought "Great! I'll listen to one of these older interviews again and I will surely enjoy it and learn." The shock and joy to see it was a brand new interview and a new book from Thomas Sowell!

[@wesjimez2941]

He is a legend. Unfortunately our education system doesn't talk about him.

[@Fortior.]

These discussions with Thomas Sowell should become mandatory parts of the curriculum, in all schools, across every English speaking western nation. You'll never convince me otherwise.

[@Tremont24]

Tom Sowell still at it at 93. Truly a legend.

[@JWForce1059]

93 and still dropping truth bombs! A true intellectual hero

[@craigb4913]

Was afraid we'd seen the last of Sowell in public. Great to have him back. Sharp and logical as ever.

[@lilacflowerdays]

Peter Robinson is an incredible interviewer. So much grace and poise.❤

[@mrheffern]

Three men changed my life forever: my father, my grandfather, and Thomas Sowell.

[@danstube411]

Thomas Sowell is not allowed to die. I said what I said.

[@thesagetraveler7649]

This man is who I want my kids to learn about and look up to. He is a national treasure and we are so lucky to have his voice for as long as we have.

[@mamachicken4602]

May Mr. Sowell live another 93 years! We need voices like him, they are so rare.

[@actoraa]

I'm very happy to see Mr Sowell is still doing well at 93. Thank you sir!

[@richardtibbetts574]

He’s more eloquent of a speaker and just so much better of an intellectual at 93 years old, than virtually any college student in America.

[@MrTrolloling]

Never thought we'd see another Uncommon Knowledge with Dr. Sowell. Beautiful.

[@cmonster67]

Brilliant! And why this man and the late Walter Williams aren't brought up in schools, even during Black history month, tells you everything you need to know about the people running the system.

[@samsiryani9023]

Thomas Sowell is truly a American icon and should be considered a national treasure, Happy Birthday sir and God Bless.

[@thecarsongardner]

No way - a new Thomas Sowell interview? The lord has blessed us all!

[@christopherteto7321]

All of Thomas Sowell's books should be required reading in our educational institutions.

[@huston126]

GOD BLESS THOMAS SOWELL.... LOVE THAT MAN!

[@coventrywildeheart7108]

What an absolute honour to have Thomas Sowell on your show. I live in Australia and am a huge fan of Mr Sowell. One of the best minds around.

[@ctreid87]

Thomas Sowell is a national treasure and not allowed to die.

[@JAMZ1960]

🤣❤ & I guess with the weight of his contributions; he never will…

[@karenlynne6200]

Why hasn't he won a Nobel Prize for Economics or Life Achievement is just so...?! His books should be assigned as mandatory readings in college globally. He spoke the truths that are so crucial to people's life.

[@samuelmatz]

Thomas Sowell : has a love of facts. He feels knowledge is the way out of troubles that offers solutions through tradeoffs. 93, and he still cares about bettering society. What a gem of a human being.

[@joebuckaroo82]

I wish we could all be mentored by someone with Thomas Sowell's knowledge and experience.

[@mustafamar1437]

Thomas Sowell is a man that we love so much. God bless him.

[@danuall5816]

Thomas and Peter always a great conversation.

[@orbiterL]

93 Years old and his mind is clear as a mountain spring. God bless him!

[@mariojorge9529]

The admirable Thomas Sowell is back!

[@Michael-tz7tj]

Sowell is back. More gold. Now, if only they would listen.

[@pillznarRy]

Its going to be a national tragedy the day we ever lose Mr. Sowell. THANK YOU for giving us another gem. i cherish EVERY single one of these.

[@edactyl]

This man is a legend. Breaks my heart to see him get old

[@petermathieson5692]

Thomas Sowell, he is the best of us. Been a fan for decades.

[@petermathieson5692]

Bought his latest book yesterday. Added it to my Sowell library. Giant of a man.

[@dnbhead1]

93 years young and sharper than most knives in the drawer, I hope he continues his wisdom for many years to come

[@thefadedhero9824]

Thomas Sowell makes me wish we lived 200 years. A brilliant man whose voice is needed more now than ever.

[@ChrisTopher-vs9zz]

Peter is the BEST interviewer and Mr. Sowell is one of the WISEST people on planet earth --- GREAT COMBINATION!

[@NavjotGraphicDesign]

Can’t wait! All the previous uncommon knowledge conversations with Sowell are absolute gold.

[@ThomAnno]

What an amazing man. His works should be part of every child's education and not the forced rubbish our impressionable children are exposed to.

[@thomasvandervliet9387]

Thank you Mr Sowell for all your work.

[@jodada97]

Thomas Sowell We need one 3 hour podcast from you.

[@helenmalinowski4482]

I so admire Thomas Sowell. I don't know what the West would do without his deep knowledge and brilliant analyses. He clearly deserves the Nobel Prize. Come on America - start recommending him. Hurry up, so he can enjoy the honour.

[@DomsDocs]

Thomas changed my thinking about life in a better way through his books. I wish he would do more interviews, I would love to speak to him. Great man.

[@rickb06]

Dr. Sowell is the epitome of utterly authentic Americana. His consistency and ethical competence are unmatched. I genuinely love this man, he is a unique kind of person, a type we don't have too much of today. Academia should be utterly dominated by men and women who share a similar sincerity by way of an exclusively realism based approach.

[@OlTrailDog]

Who better epitomizes the term "uncommon knowledge" than Thomas Sowell? Thank you Hoover Inst. for once again publishing another interview with this gentleman, scholar, philosopher, and American citizen.

[@glassjaw890]

Words can't describe what Dr. Sowell did for my critical thinking skills and intellectual development. I'm glad he's still producing and gifting the world with his knowledge. I hope he has no plans of slowing down any time soon!

[@UndefinedLastName]

Envy plus rhetoric equals "social justice” Thomas Sowell

[@Gandalf606]

Goodness - the world NEEDS Thomas Sowell so very much. What a man. Humble. Intelligent. Insightful. And balanced. Thomas - may you live as long as humanly possible sir!

[@MystiqWisdom]

It's really unfortunate that Sowell is not more widely praised in modern society. But still, I am grateful to have come across his ideas.

[@hubrisnaut]

"A high IQ and low information is a very dangerous combination." - Thomas Sowell I laughed out loud when he said that. I am buying the book, reading it and then gifting it to my "liberal" family.

[@risecopeman5409]

Mr. Sowell, I have missed you like a wise father who has been on a journey. You have come back to teach us again. It literally makes me cry with relief and joy. Thank you. You inspire me to think and to work with wisdom and purpose.

[@TarquinJoseph]

"A high IQ and low information is a very dangerous combination." - probably the best expression of hubris.

[@titusmazima4187]

That my friends is a true living legend of our times, Thomas Sowell at 93 still going strong

[@km5449]

Thomas Sowell is such a treasured voice in our troubled world today.

[@TomDavenport]

The king is back

[@blakej6416]

Having read most of Thomas Sowell's amazing books, it's clear to me that the conflation of race and culture is one of the biggest intellectual hurdles that our society faces. And it seems very likely that this conflation has been purposefully engineered. Your race does not determine your culture, and by extension your behavior. Political activists continue to promulgate the notion that all these issues are racially mediated, when, in fact, they are culture/behavioral issues. Now, certainly there is a correlation between race and culture, but as anyone who has taken an elementary class on logic should understand, correlation is not causation.

[@tipple58]

A great intellectual, and a great man!

[@jamesharper7661]

Thomas Sowell is one of the wisest men this country ever produced.

[@abeaboud272]

Overjoyed to see him well and still as sharp as a knife. A national treasure!

[@dgm2485]

Sowell is a truth seeker. We need more of that in the world today.

[@bashaambachani7659]

My teacher and mentor. I have never met Thomas Sowell, but I have read a lot of his work -- and much of his work is in my waiting list; so I am going to read more and more until he stops producing his masterpieces -- and, believe me, he teaches you more through his books than you will ever learn in school, college or university. Kudos to this guy for his lifelong work of economics, knowledge and what not. I love you, TS. In an age when too many are barking, he is busy collecting facts -- and with those facts, he writes books that are an antidote to nonsense, wokeism and everything bad about the modern leftist and globalist world order. Thank you, Tom Sowell, for opening my eyes and awakening me to the realities of life.

[@ashketchum9369]

Thomas sowell's works are single handedly changed my entire world view especially economics and culture

[@n.spatrick3228]

He gives us another book! What a gift!

[@2jlee]

I'm sad that I can only give one "like" to this interview with Dr. Sowell. Still sharp at 93.

[@markwiehenstroer2831]

Uncommon knowledge presented in this interview gives a glimpse as to why Dr. Sowell's works should be in all the public libraries and libraries of our schools.

[@Benjamin-fu5ij]

This brought the biggest and most lasting smile to my face. Thomas Sowell is one of my personal heroes. I can’t even imagine looking, sounding, and thinking that sharp at 93! Just unbelievable. Dr. Sowell, if you are reading this, thank you for everything! God bless!

[@SeanCarrington]

I'm in genuine tears. My hero 😭

[@aeronomer8389]

This man is a national treasure

[@tinytanks]

holy crap, thomas sowell is looking incredible for 93. thank god he is still with us in these times, it's so badly needed. probably the greatest living intellectual giant in the 21st century.

[@porfiriodosreis4790]

He came from a poorer family, he black and nothing stopped him to be what he is today. A wonderful human being, intelectual and great man. Don’t put in the people’s lap your failure. Be like Dr. Sowell. I love this man.

[@blue-fj9ky]

If I make it to 93 I hope I'm one tenth as lucid as Professor Sowell. May he live to 103! I can't wait to buy his new book.

[@SylviaXTan]

At age of 93, Dr. Sowell is as sharp and articulate as he has always been. A true national treasure.

[@kaisersoza7937]

America missed an opportunity to have been led by Thomas Sowell. Speaking genius for over sixty years. Thank you sir

[@ryanroberts9210]

There should be a movie made about this legend. His books should be read in all schools. His name should be as known as celebrities and athletes.

[@PolynesianPrince97]

Thomas Sowell still doing interviews and publishing books at 93. Amazing.

[@rw9854]

Possibly the best man that ever lived. Certainly my favourite.

[@dosphari]

How is he this sharp at 93. Well.. read books. It keeps the mind fresh.

[@bobbarclay316]

Listening to Dr.Sowell speak sets my mind going. I have to pause the video every other minute to think about what he just said.

[@kiyingiduncan]

He has always been a good teacher. Even at 93, he's still very brilliant!

[@sonnylee8128]

Thomas Sowell is national treasure. Americans in general and the Black community specifically,should know and read/listen to him. His common sense, knowledge of history, and social issues including the economy, makes him an intellectual giant in the world. Please,America, listen to and read Thomas Sowell.

[@-tom-8720]

Nothing but respect for this man.

[@toeknee5565]

I'm so grateful for Thomas Sowell. At 93 he is a treasure. As I look forward into the future and the state our country, our world, I'm overwhelmed by the realization that I'm not ready to lose this man.

[@monikapineda9048]

What a mind! What sharpness! He quotes numbers and statistics with an easement that people half his age are not capable of! Always amazed at his wisdom!

[@TheManOfGold7]

One of the greatest humans of all time. The modern genius and inspiration to everyone.

[@davidkervin]

Great interview Peter. We need more of Thomas Sowell's wisdom in this day and age.

[@parkburrets4054]

Weird anecdote: My mom grew up in the poorest county in TN with hillbilly relatives during the depression. She and all of her friends from the public school went to college. She said it was always expected that she would.