Weekly Top Five Articles
Hegel, Anchovies, Obesity and Sperm Counts, Teen Self-Confidence, and Weed Increasing Domestic Violence
Here’s what stood out this week…
(1) “Right-Hegel Meets Left-Hegel: The misreading of Hegel that Alexandre Kojève shared with Leo Strauss,” by David Goldman, Tablet, September 18, 2024.
In Right-Hegel Meets Left-Hegel, David P. Goldman delves into how a misinterpretation of Hegel, propagated by the Russian-French philosopher Alexandre Kojève, influenced both left-wing critical theory and neoconservative thought. Kojève’s fusion of Hegel with Marx and Heidegger had a profound impact on French intellectuals like Sartre and de Beauvoir, whose existentialist ideas later fed into today’s identity politics and woke ideology. Simultaneously, Kojève’s ideas helped inspire Francis Fukuyama's "end of history" thesis, which promoted the notion that liberal democracy and free-market capitalism represent the final stage of human societal development. This thesis heavily influenced the American neoconservative agenda, including the Bush-era push for democratization in the Middle East.
Goldman argues that both left and right Hegelian interpretations—whether through critical theory in academia or the "freedom agenda" of neoconservatives—are based on a misreading of Hegel’s Phenomenology of Mind, particularly the "lordship and bondage" dynamic. Rather than justifying power and elitism, Hegel's real argument was that true freedom can only exist when all individuals are free, which contradicts the political agendas derived from Kojève’s version of Hegel.
This article is particularly important for conservatives because it challenges the ideological foundations that shaped both the neoconservative foreign policy of the early 2000s and the critical theory now pervasive in American universities. By misreading Hegel, both groups have pushed flawed, messianic political visions—one in the form of democratizing the world, and the other in deconstructing traditional values in favor of identity politics. For conservatives, Goldman's call to revisit Hegel’s authentic ideas presents an opportunity to critique these trends and develop a more grounded approach to politics, one that avoids the extremes of both neoconservatism and progressivism.
(2) “A little history of the anchovy,” by Mathew Lyons, Engelsberg Ideas, September 13, 2024.
Book: A Twist in the Tail: How the Humble Anchovy Flavoured Western Cuisine, Christopher Beckman, Hurst, £18.99
I love anchovies!
Lyons traces the anchovy’s remarkable culinary journey, revealing how this small fish has shaped the food culture of Western civilization. Anchovies have been beloved and reviled across different eras, cultures, and social classes. From the Romans, who used anchovies to create the famous fermented fish sauce garum, to modern dishes in renowned restaurants like Spago, anchovies have maintained a strong presence in kitchens for centuries. Their high levels of umami, the fifth taste that makes food savory and addictive, have made them a favorite in dishes across Europe and beyond.
One of the most interesting details Lyons highlights is the dual reputation of anchovies. While some, like the Italian doctor Alessandro Petronio, derided them as "food for the poor" in the 16th century, others, including royalty, were so enamored with them that they became essential dining staples. Emperor Charles V, for instance, was so addicted to anchovies that his doctor had to stop him from eating a barrelful that had spoiled during transit.
The anchovy’s influence spread with the expansion of empires, from the Roman garum workshops to British adaptations like anchovy-based ketchups in the 18th century. The anchovy's story is not just about food but about class, culture, and the role of taste in shaping our sense of identity. Anchovies have played a starring role in everything from Spanish tapas to the Worcestershire sauce that’s key to a Bloody Mary.
(3) “Obesity reduces testosterone and sperm count by disrupting brain circuits,” by Eric W. Dolan, PsyPost, September 21, 2024
A recent study published in The Journal of Neuroscience reveals how obesity negatively impacts reproductive health in males by disrupting critical brain circuits. Using mice fed a high-fat diet to model human obesity, researchers found that the condition caused chronic changes in the brain, leading to reduced testosterone levels, lower sperm counts, and diminished libido. The study highlights how obesity weakens communication between brain neurons that control feeding and reproduction, providing insight into the rising link between obesity and reproductive issues in men.
Obesity has long been associated with lower testosterone and reproductive dysfunction, but the exact mechanisms were not fully understood until now. The research focuses on two key neuron groups in the brain—POMC and kisspeptin neurons—which regulate energy balance and reproductive hormones. Obesity disrupts the cross-talk between these neurons, impairing hormone production crucial for sperm development.
While this study was conducted on mice, it offers potential pathways for understanding male infertility and could inspire future treatments for obesity-related reproductive issues. Interestingly, the study also found that female mice were less affected by obesity in terms of reproductive health, suggesting sex differences in how obesity impacts the brain.
(4) “Big Five traits shape self-esteem development in adolescence,” by Mane Kara-Yakoubian, PsyPost, September 19, 2024
A new study in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology shows how personality traits can significantly influence self-esteem in adolescents, highlighting an important issue for parents. The research tracked German adolescents aged 16 to 22 over a year, examining how changes in traits such as extraversion, neuroticism, and conscientiousness impacted their self-esteem over time.
The findings are crucial for parents because they show that personality development during adolescence directly affects self-confidence. Traits like extraversion and openness create a positive feedback loop with self-esteem—higher levels of these traits lead to greater self-esteem, and vice versa. On the other hand, neuroticism has a damaging effect, significantly lowering self-esteem, which could lead to emotional challenges for teens.
For parents, understanding how their child's personality traits affect their sense of self can provide valuable insight into supporting their development. Helping a child manage traits like neuroticism, while encouraging traits that build confidence, can be key to fostering emotional resilience during this critical period. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of monitoring both self-perception and how others view the adolescent, as external perspectives can sometimes reveal deeper impacts on self-esteem that the teen may not express.
This research provides parents with tools to better support their child’s emotional and psychological growth during adolescence, a time when both self-esteem and personality are rapidly developing.
(5) Recreational cannabis laws linked to rise in intimate partner violence, by Mane Kara-Yakoubian, PsyPost, September 17, 2024
A recent study published in Economics & Human Biology found that states with recreational cannabis laws experienced a 20% increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) incidents. The study, conducted by Michele Baggio and colleagues, explored the unintended consequences of cannabis legalization, specifically its link to higher rates of IPV. Using data from 39 U.S. states over a 10-year period, the researchers discovered that poor mental health and binge drinking, both associated with cannabis use, may play a role in this increase.
This research highlights an important public health concern: while cannabis is often viewed as relatively harmless, its legalization may have unintended social consequences, particularly in the context of IPV. The findings underscore the need for policies that address potential negative outcomes alongside the more commonly discussed benefits of legalization.
This research is particularly relevant for young adults navigating relationships, as it suggests that cannabis use may have more serious consequences on mental health and behavior than often acknowledged. With young adults being frequent users of recreational cannabis, understanding the potential risks, especially regarding aggression and IPV, is critical. This underscores the importance of educating young couples about the effects of cannabis on both mental well-being and relationship dynamics.
The study emphasizes the need for preventive measures and policies to address the potential rise in IPV rates as more states legalize recreational cannabis. For those in young adult relationships, this information can help them make informed choices about substance use and its impact on their interactions and emotional health.
The rise of cannabis-related IPV suggests the need for pastors to be informed and proactive in addressing potential consequences of substance use, especially as more states legalize recreational cannabis.