Alex Lefebvre
Professor of Politics and Philosophy, The University of Sydney. Latest book, Liberalism as a Way of Life. alexlefebvre.com
- Reposted by Alex LefebvreSharing this review of my book by @alexandrelefebvre.bsky.social again because, in addition to saying lovely things about Herald of a Restless World, it is a really excellent article about Bergson lareviewofbooks.org/article/when...
- John Rawls & Stanley Cavell were career-long frenemies. To make sense of it, I went to the Rawls archive at Harvard and read Rawls’s private notes from their meetings: painstakingly earnest, frequently baffled. doi.org/10.1177/1474...
- Today is my last day as the inaugural director of The University of Sydney's PPE program. It’s been a ride: four disciplines (politics, philosophy, economics, political economy) built into one coherent degree. Brilliant students, lots of fun. With this mug, I rest.
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- My article, From Statecraft to Soulcraft, was selected by @noemamag.com as one of its Top Ten Reads of 2025. I’m proud of this piece. It’s onto something big: post-liberal states today—from China to Hungary to MAGA—make the Good Life core state business. www.noemamag.com/noemas-top-1...
- New podcast alert: The Philosophy of Living Well Happiness, art, politics, forgiveness, blame — philosophers at the University of Sydney dive into all of it. Give it a listen here👇 open.spotify.com/show/1jUIb70...
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- Reposted by Alex LefebvreWe've launched a new podcast called Ideology Unbound. Host @lkatfield.bsky.social will be interviewing guests on ideas and liberalism. This first episode is with @lefebvrealex.bsky.social. Check it out and subscribe! www.illiberalism.org/ideology-unb...
- "It takes a Straussian to catch a Straussian." In case you missed it, here's my LARB review of @lkatfield.bsky.social terrific new book, Furious Minds, published by @princetonupress.bsky.social. lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
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- “Few books in political theory foreground the author’s biography this much. But it lands.” My LARB review of Furious Minds by Laura Field. A terrific book. @princetonupress.bsky.social: lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
- Short and sweet review of Bergson's Lectures on Freedom @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social "This compilation of Henri Bergson's 1904–05 lectures at the Collège de France exemplifies the dynamic nature of philosophy as an evolving discourse delivered in an oral format." muse.jhu.edu/pub/105/arti...
- Big conference on the Dismissal and the Fraser Government, 12–13 Dec at Trinity College, Melbourne. I’m speaking on a panel, “What Is Liberalism Today?”, with Senators James Paterson and Sarah Henderson. Come on down! www.trinity.unimelb.edu.au/whats-happen...
- A talented student artist drew some of the authors we read this semester. Name them from clockwise (no big points for 1 and 2):
- Love this book. And now my daughter is using it for her Year 12 English project on White Lotus and Rousseau's Second Discourse. Fun for the whole family! Thanks @laywilliams.bsky.social
- I did a thing and got a thing.
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- Paperback day for Liberalism as a Way of Life, @princetonupress.bsky.social I’ve been moved and amazed by the book’s reception—thank you to everyone who’s read, taught, or shared it. If you’re so inclined, give it one more repost for the road.
- Won a couple of awards last week. Woo! One is the Australasian Association of Philosophy’s Media Prize for Rawls the Redeemer in @aeon.co: shorturl.at/vPOxH The other is a Teaching Leadership Award for my work on the new PPE degree The University of Sydney: shorturl.at/MAHtd
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- Both Luara Ferracioli and I have been shortlisted for the AAP Media Prize — Luara for two excellent ABC radio pieces, and me for Rawls the Redeemer in Aeon. Great to see public philosophy getting some love. 👉 aap.org.au/AAP-Media-Pr...
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- In case you missed it: my lead essay in the new print issue of @noemamag.com, "From Statecraft to Soulcraft." After 70 years, states are back in the business of shaping the good life. Welcome to the post-liberal era. www.noemamag.com/from-statecr...
- In case you missed it, my review of @emilyherring.bsky.social's terrific bio of Henri Bergson is #1 at the Los Angeles Review of Books right now. It’s my love letter to the GOAT of philosophy—take a seat and have a chat with him here 👇 lareviewofbooks.org/article/when...
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- My review of @emilyherring.bsky.social's bio of Bergson for @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social ofbooks.bsky.social. Spoiler: it's superb: "The most delightful book I’ve read about Bergson, written with clarity, joy, humor, and narrative drive." lareviewofbooks.org/article/when...
- I did an interview with Sam Kahn for The Republic of Letters. Topics include: how I became a liberal, why you probably are too, what liberalism really is, and how to work Rawls into everyday conversation without sounding like a tool. republicofletters.substack.com/p/an-intervi...
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- Thrilled to see my book out today in Spanish translation! Huge thanks to @edicionesdeusto.bsky.social and @princetonupress.bsky.social. ¡Hola Liberalismo como forma de vida! www.planetadelibros.com/libro-libera...
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- Excellent review of my Liberalism as a Way of Life by Benjamin Ball for Marginalia Review of Books. Ball says I'm too hard on democracy (I'm sure he's right) and wonders, with Dewey and others, what "democracy as a way of life" looks like. www.marginaliareviewofbooks.com/post/self-co...
- Read Nathan Gardels’ extended commentary on my recent “Statecraft as Soulcraft” article for @noemamag.com. We explore how today’s authoritarians link their legitimacy, stability, and popularity to promoting specific visions of the good life. Politics As Soulcraft www.noemamag.com/politics-as-...
- Some news: from July 2025, I’ll be Chair of the Department of Philosophy at Usyd. The usual joke here is to say “condolences”. Not in this case. I so admire and like our stellar crew of philosophers. Looking forward!
