In this episode of Reviving Virtue, host Jeffrey Anthony engages Dr. Molly Farneth in a rigorous dialogue exploring the multifaceted connections between rituals, virtues, and democratic communal life. Dr. Farneth, author of "The Politics of Ritual [https://bookshop.org/a/94644/9780691198927]," elucidates the transformative potential of rituals for shaping social norms, articulating community values, and nurturing democratic citizenship. From the paradigm-shifting case of the Philadelphia 11 to the application of Hegelian social ethics, and even touching upon the cultural phenomenon of Taylor Swift, this conversation provides a nuanced investigation into the capacity of rituals and habits to rejuvenate our democratic ethos. Books Discussed: * The Politics of Ritual [https://bookshop.org/a/94644/9780691198927] by Molly Farneth * Hegel's Social Ethics: Religion, Conflict, and Rituals of Reconciliation [https://bookshop.org/a/94644/9780691203119] by Molly Farneth Topics Covered: * The importance of rituals in shaping social norms * Hegel's social ethics: Recognition and Reconciliation * The Philadelphia 11: A case study in ritual and social change * American Democracy and the Struggle for Recognition * Habits, Virtues, and their Role in Democratic Life * Rituals and Creativity * The Role of Emotions and Responsibility in Public Rituals * Taylor Swift and Collective Effervescence: A cultural phenomenon Contact: revivingvirtue@gmail.com Music by Jeffrey Anthony