Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D.

My friend Jeff sent a link to this excellent column by Dennis Prager. I have noticed both personally and professionally that progressives ("leftists") prefer (1) impugning the integrity of those with whom they disagree to (2) criticizing the arguments of those with whom they disagree. The focus is on persons rather than arguments. My own view on why this is the case is that progressives aren't as smart as conservatives. They don't know how to argue or criticize; all they know how to do is attack persons. Unfortunately, I see this even in my discipline of philosophy. This is ironic, of course, since philosophy prides itself on rational argumentation. What it tells me is that progressive philosophers are progressives first and philosophers second. Socrates would be appalled.