Reconnecting a Divided Democracy with Philosopher Robert Talisse

Right now in our country, political polarization and divisive anger between parties make some feel that our democracy is breaking. How can democratic societies endure—and even flourish—amid deep and persistent disagreement? On this episode of the Quantum Potential podcast, Provost C. Cybele Raver talks with Robert B. Talisse, W. Alton Jones Professor of Philosophy at Vanderbilt. Talisse is one of the country’s leading scholars of democracy, pluralism and political polarization. In this episode, he challenges listeners to rethink how we communicate through political disagreement and gives practical suggestions on how to reconnect our divided democracy.

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This episode was produced by Vanderbilt University and created through the collaboration of Randolph Infinger, Sydney Jones-Wright, Amber Palmer-Halma, Patrick Sams, Jennifer Stevens, Maisie Wilson, and Amy Wolf, with original music by Steven Matthew Carter.

This episode was edited and mixed by the team at Sound On // Sound Off. You can learn more about their work at SoundOnSoundOff.com. 

Special thanks to Jad Abumrad, Vanderbilt University Distinguished Research Professor of Communication of Science and Technology and the executive producer of the Quantum Potential podcast and video series. 

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The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host or Vanderbilt University.

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