The Arrogance of the Modern

The Arrogance of the Modern is a sustained apology for the wisdom of the past. David Hall is not convinced that moderns corner the market on ideas. Indeed, the lust for the progressive has led to numerous intellectual errors. This series of essays--treating subjects ranging from heresies and orthodoxy to welfare reform, piety, science, and politics--returns again and again to Solomon's conclusion about ideas: There is nothing new under the sun. In many ways, some of the ideas of the past were superior.