It seems as though our cultural and moral debates in America and Europe take place between a secular side and a traditional, frequently religious, side. Secular liberalism is seen as consciously moving away from religious convictions of the past toward a more fair and objective viewpoint. But some scholars argue that the framework of secular liberalism is rooted in Judaism and Christianity and still operates with their metaphysical and ethical categories—albeit in an unacknowledged way. In this talk, Eric Nelson (Harvard) explores the theological framework of secular society and the ways in which liberal thinking is inescapably religious.

Eric Nelson is the Robert M. Beren Professor of Government at Harvard University. This lecture was presented at the Morningside Institute on November 4, 2021. The Morningside Institute brings scholars and students together to examine human life beyond the classroom and consider its deepest questions through the life of New York City. For more information about upcoming events, please visit https://www.morningsideinstitute.org.