Frank S. Meyer: Speaking of Freedom
June 14, 2004
Prague, Czech Republic

The Civic Institute organized this colloquium on the thought of Frank Meyer to mark the launch of a book of essays by Meyer, translated and published by the Institute in cooperation with the Czech Academy of Sciences.  Frank Meyer (1909-1972) provides a dramatic example for young intellectuals from Central and Eastern Europe. After being an active member of the Communist party, Meyer abandoned the party and spared no effort opposing the philosophy he once helped promote.

Meyer was one of the founding editors of National Review.  He was a staunch defender of the role of free will and the corresponding need to limit the role of government intervention. In his book, In Defense of Freedom: A Conservative Credo, Meyer wrote “Unless men are free to be vicious, they cannot be virtuous”.

Various speakers at this conference, including Eugene Meyer, Director of the Federalist Society, and Dr. Donald J. Devine of Bellevue University, brought out the essential elements of Meyer’s position which bear both upon individual ethics and the organization of society.