The "noble lie:" Why countries that lie together, stay together

sciart0
Jul 10
1 min read

This is my country and this is what we stand for. At least for now.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

In this week’s Mini Philosophy interview, I spoke with historian Dan Snow about national identity, national values, and national myths.
We discussed Plato’s "noble lie," ... the concept that all nations require a shared narrative to unite them.
In a revisionist age, what role does the national narrative play today? And if we do away with them, will we also do away with national identity?

Recent Posts

David Lilienthal’s account of his years running the Tennessee Valley Authority can read like the Abundance of 1944. We still have a lot to learn from what the book says — and from what it leaves out.

WHY IS ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. SO CONVINCED HE’S RIGHT?

How an outsider, once ignored by the public-health establishment, became the most powerful man in science

What the S&P 500 is hiding about the economy

A few trillion-dollar companies are powering the market’s gains. Here’s what’s happening to most other businesses in the United States. Thanks Tom!