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Enchanted Americans

1,402 views · Published 8 January 2016 · 54:40 · Indexed 29 October 2026

Channel: Chicago Humanities · 2016 · Education

University of Chicago political scientist Eric Oliver argues that the United States is an enchanted land. It’s not that we live among witches, fairies, and ogres. Rather we're under the spell of our own magical thinking. Whether we fear genetically modified foods or believe in angels, people across the political spectrum are willing to attribute causality to unseen forces. Oliver explores the various phenomena that lurk behind our anti-scientific thinking, as well as the ways those perceptions inform - and distort - our understanding of politics. Chicago Tribune columnist Dawn Turner Trice will join him in conversation.

This program is presented as part of the annual Karla Scherer Endowed Lecture Series for the University of Chicago.

This program was recorded on October 29, 2015 as part of the 26th annual Chicago Humanities Festival, Citizens: http://chf.to/2015Citizens

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