Broadcast on November 6, 2003
What might a philosopher have to tell us about American democracy in the 21st century? Jacob Needleman became an acclaimed philosopher of contemporary America over six decades writing books on things like time, the cosmos, love, and money. Then he turned his attention to what he calls the meaning of America. He got inside the spiritual sensibility of the founders and uncovered subtleties of familiar patriotic sentiments. For example, our "inalienable rights" were inseparable from duties. The "pursuit of happiness" was linked with virtue. And democracy was not simply a set of external structures, but inward work on one's character, spirit, and intellect. Needleman found a profound sense of spirituality at the root of our Democratic ideals.
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