Great Books and Big Lies: “Theirs” and “Ours” | Adam Rose | First Friday Lecture

What does it take for free citizens to think well in a world full of propaganda, appearance, and political manipulation? In this First Friday lecture hosted by the University of Chicago Graham School, Adam Rose asks what liberal education is for in a democracy. He argues that democratic life depends not on philosopher-kings, but on philosopher-citizens: people capable of independent critical judgment in a world crowded with distortion, narrative control, and what he calls "big lies." From the "big lie" to Machiavelli, Carl Sagan's "bamboozlement," and Chomsky's "manufacturing consent," Rose argues deception works through framing, repetition, and suppressed context. Examples include Iraq, Ukraine, Orwell's 1984, and Wag the Dog. Drawing on Robert Hutchins and the "Great Conversation," Rose argues that great books cultivate habits of questioning that help citizens resist single frames of interpretation. The goal is not agreement but disciplined inquiry: testing assumptions and thinking beyond slogans. Rose closes with Socratic self-knowledge, drawing on Sinaiko and Plato's Meno to argue that the greatest barrier to understanding is often what readers bring to a text: settled opinions and ignorance of their own ignorance. The Q&A extends to Ukraine, the Socratic method, technology, and whether great books can help people think more honestly across disagreement. Key questions explored in this lecture: 1. What is a "big lie," and how is it different from ordinary political rhetoric or error? 2. What can Great Books education contribute to independent judgment and intellectual discipline? 3. What does Socratic self-knowledge have to do with resisting propaganda? Chapters 00:00:04 Welcome, First Friday introduction, and program announcements 00:06:13 Why free people must become wise 00:10:30 The "big lie" and propaganda, theirs and ours 00:14:17 Machiavelli and the politics of appearance 00:16:44 Carl Sagan, bamboozlement, and habits of thought 00:19:22 Manufacturing consent, decontextualization, and public narrative 00:24:13 Ukraine, Mearsheimer, and the struggle over context 00:25:53 Orwell's 1984 and the "Two Minutes Hate" 00:28:14 Wag the Dog and propaganda as political spectacle 00:30:27 Gestalt images, narrative lock-in, and how judgment gets trapped 00:33:25 From propaganda to education: why democracies need philosopher-citizens 00:35:31 The Great Conversation and liberal education as human formation 00:42:18 Remaking adults: re-education, blind spots, and self-knowledge 00:46:48 Sinaiko, Socrates, and ignorance of our own ignorance 00:48:16 The Meno, unlearning false opinion, and conversation as cure 00:53:23 Why discussion with books and other readers matters 00:55:14 Q&A begins 00:55:58 Q&A – Ukraine, policy debate, and suppressed perspectives 00:58:04 Q&A – Re-education, adult education, and unmaking settled opinions 01:11:00 Q&A – Socrates, passion, and intellectual discipline 01:14:22 Q&A – Technology, reason, humility, and compassion About the Speaker Adam Rose was one of the Graham School's most senior instructors, with 30 years of teaching experience guiding generations of adult learners in the close reading of classic texts. He was widely admired for courses that combined rigor, humor, and a clear commitment to helping students achieve a deeper understanding of the works before them. About the Basic Program The First Friday Lecture series is presented by the Basic Program of Liberal Education for Adults. The Basic Program is a four-year certificate program for intellectually curious learners who want to read and discuss the Great Books in a serious, welcoming community. Through close reading and weekly conversation, students engage works of literature, philosophy, history, and social thought by authors such as Plato, Aristotle, Dante, Shakespeare, de Tocqueville, Woolf, and Morrison—guided by outstanding instructors, with no prerequisites, tests, papers, or grades. Offered online and in person, the program invites adults from all backgrounds to deepen their thinking and join a lifelong community of readers. Learn more at https://graham.uchicago.edu/program/basic-program-of-liberal-education/ About Graham The Graham School brings the best of the University of Chicago to lifelong learners seeking discovery and discernment. Through programs in the Great Books, the liberal arts, and advanced leadership, we welcome learners who seek to deepen their understanding of the world and lead examined lives of purpose. Learn more at https://graham.uchicago.edu