Spring 2015

Cover Story

The Embattled First Amendment

The Supreme Court is interpreting free speech in new ways that threaten our democracy

by Lincoln Caplan

Articles

A Terrible Loss

Lincoln’s assassination 150 years ago turned plans for postwar reconciliation to a frenzy of violence

by Jonathan W. White

Kill the Creature

In search of snakes—and the balm of charity and love in a world of infinitely lonely space

by Christian Wiman

Confessing and Confiding

Knowing the difference between the two can elevate an essay from therapy to art

by Emily Fox Gordon

Failure to Heal

Today’s medical industry thrives on diagnosing and curing, but it doesn’t reach the soul

by Philip Alcabes

Meeting the Mystics

My California encounters with Gerald Heard and Aldous Huxley

by Sissela Bok