Episode Details

In this edition of "The New York Times Close Up," host Sam Roberts interviews Kwame Anthony Appiah, The New York Times' ‘Ethicist’ columnist and NYU Professor, who recently won the 2024 Kluge Prize. Their conversation centers around ethics and truth in society, particularly timely given Donald Trump's upcoming second presidential inauguration on January 20th, 2025. Appiah discusses how society navigates trust and facts in a polarized world, emphasizing that many current disagreements stem from differing views on facts rather than values. He explores how institutional trust has eroded, using examples like the CDC's communication during the pandemic, and stresses the importance of mainstream media being transparent about mistakes to rebuild credibility. Finally, Appiah shares his insights from his decade-long experience writing The Ethicist column, noting that many ethical dilemmas people face revolve around questions of when and what to communicate to others, from workplace situations to personal relationships.

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