Once values such as justice and equality were agreed upon by all. Now they are identified by some as vehicles to entrench or overturn power. On the left, 'justice' as a means to sustain and impose privilege, 'truth' as an attempt to claim enduring authority. On the right, 'diversity' and 'equality' as means to undermine the status quo in favour of a new elite. The danger is apparent to many. Without agreed values, society is increasingly divided. Debate is limited by tribal associations that make discussion hard if not impossible.  

Do we need to re-engage with those whose values and beliefs we reject, while accepting that our own values are not universal? Should we seek to construct a new enlightenment to provide an agreed basis for progress that could apply to all? Or do we just need to reinforce the liberal democratic values of our past?

Dale Turner, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and Centre for Indigenous Studies at the University of Toronto, Janne Teller, critically-acclaimed writer of novels, essays and short stories, and Robin van den Akker, Senior Lecturer in the Philosophy of Culture at Erasmus University College Rotterdam, debate the values that govern our lives, and whether they are universal.

Do you think values are universal? Email us at [email protected] with your thoughts or questions on the episode!

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