John Ralston Saul on Reason, Elites, and Voltaire's Bastards

John Ralston Saul, author and head of PEN International, speaks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about his book, Voltaire's Bastards, and the role of reason in the modern world. Saul argues that the illegitimate offspring of the champions of reason have led to serious problems in the modern world. Reason, while powerful and useful, says Saul, should not be put on a pedestal above other values including morality and common-sense. Saul argues that the worship of reason has corrupted public policy and education while empowering technocrats and the elites in dangerous and unhealthy ways.

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John Ralston Saul on Reason, Elites, and Voltaire's Bastards is an episode from EconTalk Archives, 2013 by Library of Economics and Liberty.

This episode is 1:12:26 long.

This episode was published on Nov 4, 2013.

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