Reinhold Niebuhr on Tragedy, Irony, and Politics

23 Pages Posted: 20 Aug 2009

Date Written: August 18, 2009

Abstract

In arguing for the continuing relevance of realism, some of its defenders maintain that at its core realism is about learning to think tragically. The Christian realism of Reinhold Niebuhr, while taking seriously the persistence of the tragic, argues instead for 'irony' as the more appropriate lens to use in the interpretation of history and politics. From the standpoint of both faith and experience, Niebuhr's ironic stance affirms the goodness of existence and that one does not have to do evil that good may come.

Suggested Citation

Lang, Daniel, Reinhold Niebuhr on Tragedy, Irony, and Politics (August 18, 2009). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1456940 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1456940

Daniel Lang (Contact Author)

University of Lynchburg ( email )

Lynchburg, VA 24501
United States