I agree totally with your assessment of what we are facing in America’s new experiment with fascism. But I disagree with some of your language. E.g. “postmodern” and “absolute” evil or truth. I applaud postmodernism but do not define it as you do. But I accept that many of our colleagues do so define the concept as you; and therefore I have given up the word and use “transmodern” instead.

Contemporary scientific and philosophical thought, transcending the modern paradigm of Descartes and the enlightenment, has closed the separation of objectivity and subjectivity, matter and spirit, idea and perception, with the recognition that reality as we perceive and verify it is an intersubjective enterprise. It does not nullify modernity but transcends from a more wholistic or higher viewpoint. Reality is neither absolutely true nor totally relative. Or, better, the world is neither absolute, nor relative, but relational.

Relationality in thinking and acting is not just give and take to and from others. It is listening and getting into others’ points of view. It is not just deciding and telling, it is listening and encouraging others as agents—not just recipients. Thinking and action require interaction with others considered with respect among those of equal worth.

I don’t think I am quibbling. Trump’s fascist goal is power centered in him around whom the universe turns. Not shared power. Democratic or shared power is speech and action in concert with others of equal worth.

Trump does not think. He decides what is absolute truth. Trump does not act with others. His behavior is largely transactional and autocratic because he “alone can fix things” and he is “retribution” to others who oppose him.