Why an entire generation no longer knows who they are | Carl Trueman [ARC 2026] @arc_conference
Why an entire generation no longer knows who they are | Carl Trueman [ARC 2026]  @arc_conference
Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
How did the question "Who am I?" become one of the defining challenges of the modern age? In this keynote, Carl Trueman traces the historical shift from a world where identity was shaped by family, faith and community to one centred on individual choice and personal feeling. He argues that this transformation lies behind many of the West's most contentious cultural debates today.

__

Buy your 1st edition copy of our new book, The Age of Reconstruction: amazon.co.uk/dp/1916948510

With the return of the ARC Conference this June, we are publishing a brand new book — the most comprehensive synthesis of ARC’s philosophy to date. Drawing on Augustine, Tolkien, and a long tradition of civilisational thinking, The Age of Reconstruction charts a path from diagnosis to renewal. While many can point out where things have gone wrong, this book does what most can’t: it lays out a vision of what we must build, how, and why it is still possible.

Praise for The Age of Reconstruction:

"Will Western Civilisation flourish, or flounder? It depends on us, and the decisions we make right now. And Johnny Patterson's wonderful 'The Age of Reconstruction' gives us the formula, based on timeless ideas and wisdom." — Arthur Brooks, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

__

Carl R. Trueman teaches at Grove City College. He is a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, DC and the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, University of Notre Dame. He is the author of several books including The Desecration of Man.

__

00:00 The defining question of our age: What does it mean to be human?
01:27 When identity was fixed by family, faith and place
03:26 The rise of choice and the modern self
05:01 From the psychological self to the sexual self
06:42 Why sex became political
07:20 Free speech, religion and the politics of identity
09:20 Marriage, divorce and the changing family
10:47 The philosophy behind transgenderism
11:18 Understanding the roots of today's cultural moment

__

Subscribe to the ARC Newsletter for the latest updates from the ARC movement:
arc-conference.com/subscribe

Go deeper with ARC Research. Read reports, articles, and academic papers underneath our talks - all pointed towards advancing education, promoting research, and developing ideas about the keys to human flourishing and prosperity. arc-conference.com/research-papers

If you would like to support ARC’s mission financially, firstly - thank you so much for trusting us with your resources. And secondly, find out how here: arc-conference.com/donate

If you have any questions for us, or would like to partner with us, contact us here: info@arc-conference.com
Why an entire generation no longer knows who they are | Carl Trueman [ARC 2026]The fatherhood crisis nobody wants to talk about | John Papola [ARC 2026]Our schools are creating victims and villains  – Katharine Birbalsingh at ARC 2026I went to court to argue what a woman is — Sall Grover at ARC 2026You’ll stop using ChatGPT after listening to this | Jonathan Pageau [ARC 2026]Its Time to Build Again | Philippa Strouds Closing Address at ARC 2026Shoelaces — Spoken Word by Joshua Luke Smith (at ARC 2026)
Alliance for Responsible Citizenship |

Why an entire generation no longer knows who they are | Carl Trueman [ARC 2026]

SHARE TO X SHARE TO REDDIT SHARE TO FACEBOOK WALLPAPER