How French Intellectuals Ruined the West

In this podcast episode, we explore Helen Pluckrose's critical essay, "How French Intellectuals Ruined the West." She argues that the rise of postmodern thought since the 1960s has significantly weakened essential Western principles like reason, science, and liberal values. The discussion covers the origins of postmodernism, its key figures, and their central ideas of relativism and power dynamics. It also examines the real-world consequences of these beliefs, such as threats to science, free speech, and social cohesion. Ultimately, the episode advocates for a revival of rational discourse and a recommitment to Enlightenment ideals to combat the divisive and irrational trends that postmodernism has created.