大衛·布魯克斯是暢銷書作家、《紐約時報》專欄作家和《大西洋報》的撰稿人。 他也是PBS Newshour的評論員。 他的最新著作是《如何瞭解一個人：深入觀察他人和被深入觀察的藝術》。
David Brooks is a bestselling author, columnist for The New York Times, and a contributor to The Atlantic. He is also a commentator on The PBS Newshour. His latest book is “How To Know A Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen”.
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受過高等教育的精英的自白
David Brooks 開場坦承自己是受過高等教育的精英。他的父母是歷史學家，從小在知識分子的環境中成長。他回憶自己的特權成長歷程與職業生涯——就讀芝加哥大學，成為《紐約時報》的專欄作家，並在《PBS NewsHour》擔任新聞評論員。他以幽默的方式指出，精英階層創造了「網際網路、早午餐和無酒精雞尾酒」，但也承認他們設計了一個有利於自己的體制。
受過高等教育的精英如何失敗
Brooks 批評精英階層操縱社會，使其對自己有利，形成了一種階級制度：
- 來自富裕家庭的孩子遠比其他人更有機會進入頂尖大學。
- 來自少數幾所名校的畢業生壟斷了社會領導職位。
- 經濟與社會的不平等加劇，導致健康、家庭穩定性和個人幸福感的落差擴大。
然而，Brooks 認為精英階層最嚴重的過錯不是物質上的，而是精神與道德層面的：
- 將道德私有化 —— 現代社會不再共享統一的道德準則，而是鼓勵個人「尋找自己的真理」。這導致人們失去共同的信任基礎，心理健康問題增加，甚至自殺率上升。
- 摧毀社會與制度結構 —— 精英階層的失敗導致人們的幻滅，促使像川普（Donald Trump）這樣的領袖崛起。他認為，許多所謂的「民粹主義者」——包括川普、馬斯克（Elon Musk）、Vance（JD Vance）——其實都是精英體制的產物，他們雖然自稱反對精英，卻受益於這個系統。
社會如何復甦：斷裂與修復
儘管現狀令人悲觀，Brooks 認為歷史證明社會總能透過「斷裂與修復」的過程重建。他回顧歷史上多次社會危機後的復甦：
- 美國廢除奴隸制度。
- 工業化後的社會改革運動。
- 1960 年代社會價值觀的轉變。
- 全球範圍內的復甦，如二戰後的德國與日本、1980 年代的南韓、1994 年後的盧安達。
他指出，苦難能夠轉化社會——就像個人經歷挫折後獲得成長一樣，國家也會在危機後找到新的方向。
前進之路：從個人主義到社群價值
Brooks 認為，文化正在從過去幾十年的極端個人主義轉向更具社群意識的價值觀：
- 雖然他不完全認同社會正義運動或川普的「讓美國再次偉大」（MAGA）運動，但他指出，這些運動都反映了一種對歸屬感的渴望。
- 真正的文化變革來自一小群人找到更好的生活方式，然後其他人跟隨。
- 道德培養至關重要——沒有任何政治體系能取代「培養美德」的重要性。
堅定的人文主義：真正看見彼此
Brooks 以個人反思作結，引用詹姆士·鮑德溫（James Baldwin）的話：「你可以成為那個人，而那個人也可能是你。」他強調，即使在最艱難的時刻，人們仍然必須以最深刻、最尊重的方式去看待彼此。
最後的訊息
儘管社會正面臨嚴重裂痕，Brooks 仍對未來抱持希望。歷史告訴我們，國家可以透過重建道德價值、深化人際關係、強化公民機構來實現復甦。真正的挑戰在於我們是否能夠擁抱**「堅定的人文主義」**——即使在分裂與危機中，仍選擇理解與尊重他人。
Brooks 的演講融合了自我反省、歷史分析和對文化復興的呼籲。他挑戰精英階層承擔責任，並主張回歸共同體價值與共享的道德基礎，以重建社會的信任與連結。
The Confession of an Educated Elite
David Brooks opens with a candid admission: he is a member of the educated elite. Raised by historian parents in an intellectual environment, he recounts his privileged upbringing and career trajectory—attending the University of Chicago, becoming a columnist at The New York Times, and working on PBS NewsHour. He humorously acknowledges the exclusive world he inhabits, joking about the elite’s creation of “the internet, brunch, and mocktails.”
The Failures of the Educated Elite
Brooks critiques how the educated elite have rigged society in their favor, creating a caste system based on education and privilege:
- Children from wealthy families are far more likely to attend elite universities.
- Graduates from a select group of institutions dominate leadership positions.
- Economic and social divides have widened, leading to disparities in health, family stability, and personal fulfillment.
Beyond material inequality, Brooks argues that the worst sins of the elite have been spiritual and moral:
- Privatizing Morality – Society has moved away from a shared moral order, leaving people to “find their own truth.” This lack of a common ethical foundation has led to a rise in distrust, mental health issues, and despair.
- Destroying Social and Institutional Fabrics – The educated elite’s failures have led to disillusionment, paving the way for figures like Donald Trump. Brooks asserts that many so-called “populists” (Trump, Elon Musk, JD Vance) are, in fact, products of the elite system, thriving within it while claiming to challenge it.
How Societies Recover: Rupture and Repair
Despite the bleak outlook, Brooks argues that societies have always rebounded from crises through a process of rupture and repair. He traces historical moments where societies faced deep fractures and emerged stronger:
- The abolition of slavery in the U.S.
- The rise of progressive reforms after industrialization.
- The societal shifts of the 1960s.
- Global recoveries, such as post-war Germany and Japan, South Korea in the 1980s, and Rwanda after 1994.
He suggests that suffering transforms societies—just as hardship shapes individuals, national crises force communities to rebuild and redefine themselves.
The Path Forward: From Individualism to Community
Brooks envisions a cultural shift away from hyper-individualism toward a more communal, spiritually grounded society:
- Both the social justice movement and MAGA, despite their flaws, reflect a longing for belonging.
- True cultural change happens when a small, committed group models a better way of living, and others follow.
- The role of moral formation is essential—no political system can substitute for the necessity of cultivating virtue.
Defiant Humanism: Seeing Each Other Fully
Brooks concludes with a personal reflection, referencing James Baldwin’s words: “You could be that person, and that person could be you.” Even in times of brutality and division, he argues, the path forward requires radical empathy and human connection—recognizing the dignity of others, even in disagreement.
Final Message
Despite the fractures in modern society, Brooks remains hopeful. History shows that nations can recover through a renewed moral vision, deep relationships, and a commitment to rebuilding civic institutions. The challenge is to embrace defiant humanism—to see others with respect and empathy, even amid crisis.
Brooks’ speech is a mix of self-criticism, historical analysis, and a call for cultural renewal. He challenges the elite to take responsibility for their role in social decline while urging a return to communal values and shared moral purpose.
