Tyler Cowen, Columnist

If Joe Rogan Asks You to Debate, Be Suspicious

The purpose of public discourse should be to bring society closer to the truth.

Is it really worthwhile to debate vaccines with a vaccine skeptic?

Photographer: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

As an economist who is skeptical of MMT, also known as Modern Monetary Theory, I am often urged to take part in a public debate with its advocates. I routinely decline, in part because I cannot answer “yes” to this question: Will this debate bring us closer to the truth?

It is something everyone should ask themselves before engaging in open discourse of any kind, on any subject.