Minds Wide Shut: How the New Fundamentalisms Divide Us

In late 2020, a collection of leading political scientists wrote brief in Science on what they characterized as the “fierce urgency” fighting growing sectarianism United States (Finkel et al., p. 536). Among their recommendations for reforming our increasingly toxic and combative culture, authors called promoting intellectual humility: by developing commitment to nuance an awareness own cognitive limits, we may become less self-righteous, more judicious, better able resist simplistic moralized stories that seduce us into extremism open misinformation.With release Minds Wide Shut: How New Fundamentalisms Divide Us, Gary Saul Morson Morton Schapiro take up call humility with engaging wide-ranging paean inquiring, cautious, rigorous thinking.The main preoccupation Shut is surge “fundamentalism,” term use refer particular kind reductive, self-certain thinking flourishes under conditions polarization. focuses characteristics fundamentalist stances alternatives domains economics, literary theory, politics, religion, but habits mind discussion run deep, educators all stripes will find it easy appreciate contrasting approaches at work fields.The book begins acknowledgment fundamentalism has often been used loosely, catch-all disparagement identify opponents dangerous unreasonable. To rise above this cheapened imprecise usage, begin discussing three criteria argue characterize modes thinking: certainty, firm belief perspicuity truth (the conviction nature world unambiguous), reliance sacred or foundational texts. Importantly, contend can (and does) exist among members both Left Right exists negative well positive form. Whereas fundamentalists believe are possession unassailable truth, dismiss notion entirely, insisting talk about knowledge reducible power relations, cultural values, other social constructions, thereby arriving similar conclusion futility close reasoning. These various manifestations dangerous, argue, not just because foreclose learning, tend justify violence conflict against nonconforming factions.Having sketched contours fundamentalism, bring its logics further relief attributes healthier virtuous orientations. Drawing enlightenment thinkers like J.S. Mill; practical, case-based reasoning “casuistry” (p. 58); realists (with special emphasis Russian canon), advocate dialogic stance positions understandings provisional, always subject falsification light appropriate evidence, ever wary absolutist solutions claims certainty.In sections follow, detail how these styles show worlds literature. section discuss rising one’s bloc monopoly righteousness, decency, cogent policy. They highlight circular, authoritarian logic Marxist-Leninist ideology bred culture fear, dysfunction, former Soviet Union. Closer present, pseudoscientific impulse debate empirical matters appealing authority scientists. criticize dueling fundamentalisms free market absolutism totalitarian command illustrating failures each historical vignettes case study contemporary climate policies. The literature, meanwhile, extolls virtues realist novels sources insight life’s fundamental complexity, while chapter religion offers meditation texts Bible particular) be read people faith without sapping them spiritual force singular content decontextualized revelations immediate self-evident significance.The populate chapter—an exchange letters between Erasmus Martin Luther whether scripture admits multiple valid interpretations, testimony bureaucrat dictates Marxist economic theory forced factories grossly ineffective manufacturing practices—are illustrative, making nuances Schapiro’s analysis clear corroborating existence powerful focal domains. There good humor here, too, effectively eliciting concern exasperation also wry appreciation large small ironies follies certitude. Overall, strongest when elucidating contradictions dysfunctions ideologies survey.There places, however, where strays from spirit advice. Despite book’s central focus mind, engage only lightly seventy-odd years research fields psychology science have studied directly. Important questions individual variation susceptibility thinking, environmental encourage emergence, interrelations generally repressive attitudes kinds reductive taken detail. Readers thus left authors’ conjectures prevalence consequences indulging ought evaluated existing evaluations those teach us. endorsement of, example, Karl Popper’s demand meaningful scrutinized relevant evidence 278), omissions feel passive violation normative framework address questions.Minds ultimately withholds than I expected two fronts. was surprised absence strategic others interested cultivating antifundamentalist mindsets: much inferred inquiry, suspect many readers would insights illustrious careers moves might succeed same commitments. somewhat relatively engagement logic, despite titular “new fundamentalisms.” Although economics politics wade directly discourse around such hot button topics Green Deal 151), references present controversies uncommon, most frequent touchpoints throughout callbacks Union analyses nineteenth-century literature (by contrast, U.S. presidential administration mentioned passing, which divided, opposed object direct scrutiny). While certainly lessons connections anchors far enough removed Twitter mobs Qanon conspiracists warrant explicit putatively illuminating frames inform behavior currently large.Nevertheless, Shut‘s characterization opposing across incisive regularly convincing—an ode important threat—and decision avoid certain figures tactical conceit reaching audience turned off challenges favored figures. With lucid prose, largely helpfully core tenets connective propositions animate diverse array troubling thought systems. propose equally detailed offer expansive set ideas models students alike draw effort epistemic citizens. It whose varied examples intricate reflections return one benefit reading order develop considered orientations dispute, practice inquiry.