Books Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays by Thomas Sowell (Author)

"Is Reality Optional?: And Other Essays" by Thomas Sowell is a collection of essays that challenges widely held assumptions, particularly within contemporary liberalism, on topics ranging from the economy, race, education, and social issues. Sowell, primarily an economist and cultural critic, uses his economic perspective to highlight the importance of recognizing objective reality rather than succumbing to subjective beliefs or ideological narratives.

The essays, originally published as columns between the 1970s and 1990s, emphasize the idea that reality is not optional—meaning that ignoring empirical facts and trade-offs leads to misguided policies and social outcomes. Sowell critiques movements and ideas that, despite often good intentions, are unrealistic or irresponsible because they ignore practical constraints and consequences affecting society at large.