One of the least productive habits in contemporary politics is the assumption that criticizing one political party automatically means supporting its principal opponent. In Spain, criticism of the PSOE is frequently interpreted as evidence that one must therefore support the Partido Popular or Vox. The same binary reasoning increasingly appears elsewhere: if one criticizes the progressive left, one must be “far right”; if one criticizes Donald Trump, one must belong to the left.
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Attitude, Curiosity, and the Formation of Serious Scholars
In many situations, attitude is decisive. This is not a motivational cliché, but a structural fact about intellectual life. Over the years, when I speak with younger scholars in the Austrian School—particularly in Spain—I repeatedly observe a striking pattern. Those who listen attentively, reflect carefully, and actually put suggestions into practice tend to achieve excellent results. Their academic trajectories advance more quickly, but more importantly, they grow as individuals. Their confidence deepens, their intellectual independence strengthens, and their capacity for judgment matures.
Continue readingThe Perils of Secondhand Knowledge: Socialism, State Intervention, and Intellectual Responsibility
In every field of human endeavor—religion, economics, politics, and scholarship—there is a temptation to rely on secondhand knowledge. It feels safe, it feels convenient, but it is profoundly dangerous. Secondhand commentary not only distorts the truth; it also blinds us to reality and opens the door to errors with consequences that stretch across nations and generations. From theology to international policy, from economic reform to ideological conflict, the lesson is clear: nothing can replace firsthand study, serious engagement, and intellectual humility.
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