Richard J. Bernstein is Vera List Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research, New York.

• Preface. Introduction.1. The Clash of Mentalities: The Craving for Absolutes versus Pragmatic Fallibilism.2. The Anticipations and Legaices of Pragmatic Fallibilism.3. Moral Certainty and Passionate Commitment.4. Evil and the Corruption of Democratic Politics.5. Evil and the Corruption of Religion.Epilogue: What is to Done?.Notes.Works Cited.Index

"A dazzling demonstration of philosophy’s public relevance."Nancy Fraser, New School for Social Research “Building on the conceptual framework advanced in his last book, Radical Evil, Bernstein argues that what defines the post 9-11 world is an abuse of evil. In the face of the pernicious moral absolutism of neo-conservatism and the religious right, Bernstein advances a pragmatic fallibilism that is consistent with both the fragility and tenacity of democracy. It is the great merit of this book to show that such a fallibilism is not only continuous with a religious world-view, but is its enabling condition. If philosophy, as Hegel insists, is its time comprehended in thought, then Bernstein gives his readers a philosophical wake-up call to think about evil in the face of so much unthinking moralism.” Simon Critchley, New School for Social Research

Richard J. Bernstein is Vera List Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research, New York.

• Preface. Introduction.1. The Clash of Mentalities: The Craving for Absolutes versus Pragmatic Fallibilism.2. The Anticipations and Legaices of Pragmatic Fallibilism.3. Moral Certainty and Passionate Commitment.4. Evil and the Corruption of Democratic Politics.5. Evil and the Corruption of Religion.Epilogue: What is to Done?.Notes.Works Cited.Index

"A dazzling demonstration of philosophy’s public relevance."Nancy Fraser, New School for Social Research “Building on the conceptual framework advanced in his last book, Radical Evil, Bernstein argues that what defines the post 9-11 world is an abuse of evil. In the face of the pernicious moral absolutism of neo-conservatism and the religious right, Bernstein advances a pragmatic fallibilism that is consistent with both the fragility and tenacity of democracy. It is the great merit of this book to show that such a fallibilism is not only continuous with a religious world-view, but is its enabling condition. If philosophy, as Hegel insists, is its time comprehended in thought, then Bernstein gives his readers a philosophical wake-up call to think about evil in the face of so much unthinking moralism.” Simon Critchley, New School for Social Research

Richard J. Bernstein is Vera List Professor of Philosophy at the New School for Social Research, New York.

• Preface. Introduction.1. The Clash of Mentalities: The Craving for Absolutes versus Pragmatic Fallibilism.2. The Anticipations and Legaices of Pragmatic Fallibilism.3. Moral Certainty and Passionate Commitment.4. Evil and the Corruption of Democratic Politics.5. Evil and the Corruption of Religion.Epilogue: What is to Done?.Notes.Works Cited.Index

"A dazzling demonstration of philosophy’s public relevance."Nancy Fraser, New School for Social Research “Building on the conceptual framework advanced in his last book, Radical Evil, Bernstein argues that what defines the post 9-11 world is an abuse of evil. In the face of the pernicious moral absolutism of neo-conservatism and the religious right, Bernstein advances a pragmatic fallibilism that is consistent with both the fragility and tenacity of democracy. It is the great merit of this book to show that such a fallibilism is not only continuous with a religious world-view, but is its enabling condition. If philosophy, as Hegel insists, is its time comprehended in thought, then Bernstein gives his readers a philosophical wake-up call to think about evil in the face of so much unthinking moralism.” Simon Critchley, New School for Social Research