The Liberal Imagination: Essays on Literature and Society

Examining the complexities of liberalism during a tense Cold War period, this influential collection of essays critiques the overconfidence in rationality and progress. Trilling argues for the importance of imagination in understanding human motivations and the inherent tragedies of life. He posits that true liberalism should be reflective and nuanced, rather than simplistic and dogmatic, emphasizing the need for a deeper exploration of societal and political issues through imaginative thought.