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Philosophy Talk asks: Is hypocrisy a vice or a virtue?

Hypocrites believe one thing, but do another. Jefferson opposed slavery, but owned slaves. Jesus professed universal love, but cursed an innocent fig tree. Jerry Brown opposes the death penalty, but as governor of California will be responsible for executions. Hypocrites all – but vile hypocrites? Surely it was better that Jefferson was a hypocrite, and articulated the case against slavery, than not opposing it at all. Does it take courage to defend a view that you, yourself, don't have the courage or the character to follow through on? John and Ken try to practice what they preach with Lawrence Quill from San Jose State University, author of Secrets and Democracy: From Arcana Imperii to Wikileaks ~ Sunday, 11/30 at 10 am and Tuesday, 12/02 at 12 noon.

This program was recorded live at the Marsh Theater in Berkeley -- you can join the Philosophers for two brand-new live recordings on Sunday, December 14 at the Marsh in San Francisco.