It used to be at the center of our conversations about politics and society. Scott Hershovitz (author of "Nasty, Brutish, and Short") argues that philosophy still has a lot to say about work, justice, and parenthood. Our latest installment of the Freakonomics Radio Book Club.
Do you think God is real?
I sometimes believe in God.
I sometimes don't.
What situations make you believe in God?
I don't know.
Like when the wind is crazy.
Every kid is a philosopher until they grow up.
That, at least, is what this man believes.
My name is Scott Hershewitz, and I'm a philosopher of law.
I teach both law and philosophy at the University of Michigan.
Hershevitz got his doctorate in the philosophy of law from Oxford and then a law degree from Yale, after which he clerked for Ruth Bader Ginsburg on the Supreme Court.
He has now written his first book.
It is called nasty, brutish, and short adventures in philosophy with my kids.
His kids are Hank, whom we heard Hershevitz speaking with a moment ago.
And Rex.
Rex is twelve years old and Hank is nine years old.
And we should say your wife Julie, is a social worker.
You are a philosopher and a law professor.
Who do you think is doing more good in the world?
Oh, there's no question that she is doing more good in the world.