Commentary by James Wilson Institute
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“Moral Relativism is our True Constitutional Enemy” – Professor Hadley Arkes in The American Mind
In an article for The American Mind titled “Moral Relativism is our True Constitutional Enemy,” JWI Founder & Director Hadley Arkes uses the debate between Sohrab Ahmari and David French at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. to illustrate the drift into moral relativism in our jurisprudence. Prof. Arkes traces the roots of […] -
“How Robust is Religious Liberty in America” -Gunnar Gundersen and Garrett Snedeker in WSJ
In a letter to The Wall Street Journal, JWI’s Gunnar Gundersen and Garrett Snedeker respond to an ongoing debate between David French and Marci Hamilton on the meaning of religious liberty. Gundersen and Snedeker offer a fresh perspective on the discussion, together responding to objections from both the Left and the Right. They dispel the […] -
“In Defense of Political Reason” –Professor Daniel Mahoney in The American Mind
In an essay for The American Mind titled “In Defense of Political Reason”, Professor Daniel J. Mahoney reaffirms reason’s place within the conservative legal and political tradition. Responding to Yoram Hazony’s scathing denunciation of modern reason in The American Mind, Professor Mahoney acknowledges the destructive effects of rationalism while attempting to rescue premodern reason as […] -
“Reason, Faith, and the Struggle for Western Civilization” An Interview with Dr. Samuel Gregg
In June 2019, JWI’s Deputy Director Garrett Snedeker and Intern Jake Rinear shared a discussion with Dr. Samuel Gregg, author of the book Reason, Faith, and the Struggle for Western Civilization (Regnery Gateway Editions, 2019). Dr. Gregg is an author and the director of research at the Acton Institute. Below you may find: A link […] -
“Civic Religion and the Peace Cross” –Gunnar Gundersen in The Catholic Thing
In an essay for The Catholic Thing titled “Civic Religion and the Peace Cross”, JWI-affiliated scholar Gunnar Gundersen defends the inherent value of religion amid a conservative push toward moral relativism. After sketching the Court’s history of secularizing public religious symbols, Gundersen observes the early formation of a sort of Roman civic religion in the […] -
“American Law Is Not “Neutral” on Religion” — JWI Affiliated Scholar Gunnar Gundersen in Claremont American Mind
In a recent piece, David French proclaimed: “Here is the absolute, blunt truth: America will always be a nation of competing worldviews and competing, deeply held values.” JWI Affiliated Scholar Gunnar Gundersen in his essay “American Law is Not “Neutral on Religion” for The American Mind challenges French’s claim, arguing that the United States “and […] -
“The Unaccountable Silences of Bret Baier” –Professor Hadley Arkes in First Things
In an essay for First Things titled “The Unaccountable Silences of Bret Baier”, Professor Hadley Arkes criticizes the media for its silence on the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. After sketching the history of Born-Alive legislation in the United States, Professor Arkes skewers the media establishment for allowing the bills’ opponents to evade responsibility. […] -
“John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Supreme Court” An Interview with Richard Brookhiser
Richard Brookhiser In May 2019, JWI’s Deputy Director Garrett Snedeker and Intern Josh Hiero shared a discussion with Richard Brookhiser, author of the book John Marshall: The Man Who Made the Supreme Court (Basic Books, 2018). Brookhiser is an author and a senior editor of National Review. Below you may find: A link to Brookhiser’s book, […] -
“Symposium: The Life and Career of James Wilson” — Reflections on James Wilson from the Georgetown Journal of Law and Public Policy
In their Winter 2019 edition, the Georgetown Journal of Law and Public Policy published a series of works as part of their symposium on the life and career of Justice James Wilson. William Ewald in his piece “James Wilson and the American Founding” reflected upon Wilson’s early life, his work with the Declaration of Independence, […] -
“Eugenics and Other Evils” – JWI Affiliated Scholar Prof. Justin Dyer in Public Discourse
In a piece titled “Eugenics and Other Evils” for Public Discourse, Prof. Justin Dyer, a JWI Affiliated Scholar, argues that the state has a compelling interest in preventing eugenics. Heightened in the context of abortion, eugenics presents a threat to human dignity and human equality. He reflects upon Justice Clarence Thomas’s dissent in Box vs. Planned […]