Alex Lefebvre
@lefebvrealex.bsky.social
Professor of Politics and Philosophy, The University of Sydney. Latest book, Liberalism as a Way of Life. alexlefebvre.com
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...
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...
January 3, 2026 at 8:26 PM
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...
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.
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.
December 30, 2025 at 9:12 AM
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.
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.
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
May be of interest to: @lefebvrealex.bsky.social @mattpolprof.bsky.social @joshuatait.bsky.social @thomaszimmer.bsky.social @jamellebouie.net @samadlerbell.bsky.social @thebulwark.com @theunpopulist.net
December 22, 2025 at 6:16 PM
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...
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...
Noema’s Top 10 Reads Of 2025 | NOEMA
Our best longform journalism and essays from 2025.
www.noemamag.com
December 21, 2025 at 9:57 PM
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...
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...
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...
A Life Without Art
open.spotify.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:38 AM
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...
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...
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
This! The habit of liberals to dismiss the right as mere greed-driven vulgarians devoid of serious ideas is a weakness.
Haven’t read the book yet, but heard Field outline the argument on a couple of podcasts and she’s excellent.
Haven’t read the book yet, but heard Field outline the argument on a couple of podcasts and she’s excellent.
November 18, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This! The habit of liberals to dismiss the right as mere greed-driven vulgarians devoid of serious ideas is a weakness.
Haven’t read the book yet, but heard Field outline the argument on a couple of podcasts and she’s excellent.
Haven’t read the book yet, but heard Field outline the argument on a couple of podcasts and she’s excellent.
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
“This is sociologically rich and intellectually precise political theory of and for the moment.“
"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...
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...
A Mole in MAGA’s Midst | Los Angeles Review of Books
Alexandre Lefebvre reads “Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right” by Laura K. Field.
lareviewofbooks.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:06 PM
“This is sociologically rich and intellectually precise political theory of and for the moment.“
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
We'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...
www.illiberalism.org/ideology-unb...
November 17, 2025 at 6:53 PM
We'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...
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...
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...
A Mole in MAGA’s Midst | Los Angeles Review of Books
Alexandre Lefebvre reads “Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right” by Laura K. Field.
lareviewofbooks.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
"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...
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...
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
Great piece but missing something, I feel: progressives need to better understand the MAGA mindset not primarily so we can "strategize" more effectively, but as a way to engage our own blind spots (our attachment to the institutions that gave rise to Trump).
lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
November 16, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Great piece but missing something, I feel: progressives need to better understand the MAGA mindset not primarily so we can "strategize" more effectively, but as a way to engage our own blind spots (our attachment to the institutions that gave rise to Trump).
lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
This review is SO fun to read and @lefebvrealex.bsky.social really gets it.
“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...
My LARB review of Furious Minds by Laura Field. A terrific book. @princetonupress.bsky.social:
lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
A Mole in MAGA’s Midst | Los Angeles Review of Books
Alexandre Lefebvre reads “Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right” by Laura K. Field.
lareviewofbooks.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:59 PM
This review is SO fun to read and @lefebvrealex.bsky.social really gets it.
“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...
My LARB review of Furious Minds by Laura Field. A terrific book. @princetonupress.bsky.social:
lareviewofbooks.org/article/a-mo...
A Mole in MAGA’s Midst | Los Angeles Review of Books
Alexandre Lefebvre reads “Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right” by Laura K. Field.
lareviewofbooks.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM
“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...
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...
@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...
November 14, 2025 at 1:23 AM
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...
@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...
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...
True Liberal? The Record and Legacy of the Fraser Government, 1975-1983
True Liberal? The Record and Legacy of the Fraser Government, 1975-1983
www.trinity.unimelb.edu.au
November 14, 2025 at 12:31 AM
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...
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):
Name them from clockwise (no big points for 1 and 2):
November 11, 2025 at 11:02 PM
A talented student artist drew some of the authors we read this semester.
Name them from clockwise (no big points for 1 and 2):
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
Fun for the whole family! Thanks @laywilliams.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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
Fun for the whole family! Thanks @laywilliams.bsky.social
I did a thing and got a thing.
November 6, 2025 at 9:48 AM
I did a thing and got a thing.
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
Wonderful statement of what is so inspiring in Rawls by @lefebvrealex.bsky.social
aeon.co/essays/john-...
aeon.co/essays/john-...
John Rawls, liberalism and what it means to live a good life | Aeon Essays
For John Rawls, liberalism was more than a political project: it is the best way to fashion a life that is worthy of happiness
aeon.co
October 31, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Wonderful statement of what is so inspiring in Rawls by @lefebvrealex.bsky.social
aeon.co/essays/john-...
aeon.co/essays/john-...
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
Liberalism As Mob Boss @lefebvrealex.bsky.social substack.com/@alexlefebvr...
Liberalism As Mob Boss
How to respond to conservative critiques of actually existing liberal societies.
substack.com
October 30, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Liberalism As Mob Boss @lefebvrealex.bsky.social substack.com/@alexlefebvr...
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
‘Rawls is often treated as an austere theorist of justice, but I wanted to recover the moral and even spiritual warmth at the heart of his liberalism — and Aeon was the perfect place to do that’, – @lefebvrealex.bsky.social, winner of the Australasian Association of Philosophy’s Media Prize
John Rawls, liberalism and what it means to live a good life | Aeon Essays
For John Rawls, liberalism was more than a political project: it is the best way to fashion a life that is worthy of happiness
buff.ly
October 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
‘Rawls is often treated as an austere theorist of justice, but I wanted to recover the moral and even spiritual warmth at the heart of his liberalism — and Aeon was the perfect place to do that’, – @lefebvrealex.bsky.social, winner of the Australasian Association of Philosophy’s Media Prize
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.
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.
October 27, 2025 at 7:52 PM
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.
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
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
John Rawls, liberalism and what it means to live a good life | Aeon Essays
For John Rawls, liberalism was more than a political project: it is the best way to fashion a life that is worthy of happiness
shorturl.at
October 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
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
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
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
Why #liberalism is all you need to lead a good, fun, worthy, and rewarding life—and how you can become a better and happier person by taking your liberal beliefs more seriously.
Alexandre Lefebvre's Liberalism as a Way of Life arrives in #paperback on 28 Oct: press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Alexandre Lefebvre's Liberalism as a Way of Life arrives in #paperback on 28 Oct: press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
October 17, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Why #liberalism is all you need to lead a good, fun, worthy, and rewarding life—and how you can become a better and happier person by taking your liberal beliefs more seriously.
Alexandre Lefebvre's Liberalism as a Way of Life arrives in #paperback on 28 Oct: press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Alexandre Lefebvre's Liberalism as a Way of Life arrives in #paperback on 28 Oct: press.princeton.edu/books/paperb...
Reposted by Alex Lefebvre
Dear friends, I'm very happy to share the link to my upcoming book on Bergson and Affect published with @edinburghup.bsky.social !
Those interested in #Bergson, #affect, #virtuality, #embodiment, or even #philosophy in general might find it interesting.
Forthcoming March or so next year!
Those interested in #Bergson, #affect, #virtuality, #embodiment, or even #philosophy in general might find it interesting.
Forthcoming March or so next year!
Bergson and Affect
Bergson and Affect
edinburghuniversitypress.com
October 16, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Dear friends, I'm very happy to share the link to my upcoming book on Bergson and Affect published with @edinburghup.bsky.social !
Those interested in #Bergson, #affect, #virtuality, #embodiment, or even #philosophy in general might find it interesting.
Forthcoming March or so next year!
Those interested in #Bergson, #affect, #virtuality, #embodiment, or even #philosophy in general might find it interesting.
Forthcoming March or so next year!
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...
Great to see public philosophy getting some love.
👉 aap.org.au/AAP-Media-Pr...
October 13, 2025 at 11:13 AM
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...
Great to see public philosophy getting some love.
👉 aap.org.au/AAP-Media-Pr...