Thank you for The Killing of History, an intellectual, historical, and literary treat. I am giving copies for Xmas, both for their enjoyment and hoping they will help parents and kids counter some of the nonsense students are exposed to. Your examples of fraudulent, incompetent history accepted at universities in the name of political correctness and diversity demonstrate the undermining of true education.
You mention Foucault's neglect of crediting sources he likely drew upon and you discuss his argument that the medical model applied to psychology has been used to repress unconventional attitudes and lifestyles. Dr. Thomas Szasz argued against the misuses of the medical model much more cogently and accurately in his The Myth of Mental Illness, published in 1961, two years before the Foucault work you cited. Moreover, Szasz was not trying to argue that minds are incompetent tools.
I appreciate the discussion of the issue of theory coloring observations, and in particular history. It occurs to me that those who maintain that theory is controlling in every observation, must also maintain that, since dogs observe, dogs must have theories? Else, they are maintaining that only beings with theories (conceptual thought) are unable to accurately observe reality? Whereas, beings with only perceptual thought can do quite well? I suppose they want to say that anyone who puts an observation into language necessarily uses theory and cannot distinguish perception from conception? The implication is that reason is not a means of knowledge, subject to error and error correction, but is necessarily a distortion of reality. This in essence seems the view of Kant and all of his various followers, who, while usually touted as supporters of reason, are actually anti-reason -- reversing cause and effect, and encouraging a reliance on emotions as knowledge.
An issue you did not address is what makes these intellectually dishonest fools influential in our culture? Thinkers like yourself are self-made, through years of effort in building a hierarchy of objective values, in refining methodologies, and in identifying and resolving confusions. How is it that a seemingly increasing percentage of people in universities fail to develop these virtues and values?
Obviously, their failure is not an act of effort, but of lack of effort. What these people have is a default, non-intellectual morality of tribal collectivism and altruism. This cannot be defended rationally; so, only irrationality will do for them. Their emotions tell them so. To paraphrase Ayn Rand: They cannot build, but they must act; so, they only destroy.
I suggest that the central influence in the last hundred years in intellectually and morally crippling students is the increasing government support for schools and universities. With financial support comes political influence on textbooks, teacher qualifications, teacher unionization, and forced attendance in approved institutions.
It is government influence that creates the jobs and pulpits for fools and intellectual failures, whether in the arts, science, or education. In a degenerative cycle, with progressive generations the citizens, the government, and the schools get worse. The resulting culture is one which has degenerated into fostering postmodernism philosophy. Would any of the promoters of such nonsense find jobs and pulpits if they had to rely on support from private citizens?
In the Europe of past centuries, government money and influences supported religions and schools that promoted religious teachings, else these teachings would not have been so influential. Today, governments are promoting the religions of environmentalism, multiculturalism, relativism, collectivism, etc.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Early Greek Lawgivers (Classical World) , by John Lewis
Quick, easy, interesting survey of the emergence of the concepts of justice and equality under law, rather than privileges of aristocracy and princes. Tracing the history of dispute resolution from Homer thru Hesiod to Dracon on to Solon, Lewis shows that while Solon was not the first to wrestle with the issues, he first put forth sufficiently consistent and comprehensive general principles and procedures, with the support of Athenian culture of 6th century BCE, which eventually brought Athens to the pinnacle of Greek culture.
Solon recognized that citizens individually, of all classes and authority, must develop the same sense of justice and lawfulness - notions of what constitutes justice, just procedures, and the value of living by laws - for a populace to prosper and survive without disruptive social strife.
The hubris of officials destroys justice and creates strife. The ability to initiate legal action to correct wrong doing must be open to everyone, not only the aggrieved. Parties must have rights of appeal. Ending slavery for Greeks (e.g., debt slavery).
(All difficult enough for a city-state. How it is possible for large nations is another complexity. Forced education to instill effective reasoning and ethics being a contradiction.)
Solon recognized that citizens individually, of all classes and authority, must develop the same sense of justice and lawfulness - notions of what constitutes justice, just procedures, and the value of living by laws - for a populace to prosper and survive without disruptive social strife.
The hubris of officials destroys justice and creates strife. The ability to initiate legal action to correct wrong doing must be open to everyone, not only the aggrieved. Parties must have rights of appeal. Ending slavery for Greeks (e.g., debt slavery).
(All difficult enough for a city-state. How it is possible for large nations is another complexity. Forced education to instill effective reasoning and ethics being a contradiction.)
Dred Scott's Revenge: A Legal History of Race and Freedom in America, by Andrew P. Napolitano
Without agreeing with all of Judge Napolitano's characterizations, the real theme of this book is timely and essentially illustrated: the theory of positive law, once applied to justify slavery, is now applied to all citizens. The theory of law once used to deny the rights of some is now used to deny the rights of all.
The Beautiful Tree: A Personal Journey Into How The World's Poorest People Are Educating Themselves, by James Tooley
Interesting and challenging travels around the world, discovering an abundance of true modern education being demanded and delivered to the poor by small time entrepreneurs - in spite of governments, aid agencies, and education "experts."
The corruption and incompetence of public education systems the world over can be illuminating to the problems of American and British systems as well.
The lesson: Get your child out of any public system and into private instruction by any means possible.
The insight: Aid experts, agency authorities, liberal intellectuals, politicians have unjustified, rationalistic contempt for the poor, considering them essentially sub-human, unable to judge results for themselves, having no personal values and goals for themselves or their children, and needing to have the wisdom and policies of their betters forced upon them. Empirical evaluation of this assumption and the consequences of policies is not needed - only more tax money.
Commercial schools and teachers are typically more able and more committed to educating children than state certified ones. Motivated by their desire to win customers and the respect of their communities.
Tooley fails to generalize his understanding to the benefits and morality of capitalism (free choice, trade) to all areas of life. Perhaps he is focusing on one battle at a time?
Assisting with Tooley's work and the publication of this book alone justifies the existence of the Cato Institute - not to mention their many other valuable publications.
The corruption and incompetence of public education systems the world over can be illuminating to the problems of American and British systems as well.
The lesson: Get your child out of any public system and into private instruction by any means possible.
The insight: Aid experts, agency authorities, liberal intellectuals, politicians have unjustified, rationalistic contempt for the poor, considering them essentially sub-human, unable to judge results for themselves, having no personal values and goals for themselves or their children, and needing to have the wisdom and policies of their betters forced upon them. Empirical evaluation of this assumption and the consequences of policies is not needed - only more tax money.
Commercial schools and teachers are typically more able and more committed to educating children than state certified ones. Motivated by their desire to win customers and the respect of their communities.
Tooley fails to generalize his understanding to the benefits and morality of capitalism (free choice, trade) to all areas of life. Perhaps he is focusing on one battle at a time?
Assisting with Tooley's work and the publication of this book alone justifies the existence of the Cato Institute - not to mention their many other valuable publications.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou
A life of self-reliance and achievement. Filled with insightful analogies and imagery reminiscent of Shakespeare. First of five short volumes in her biographical series. Each more adventurous and courageous than the last. Intelligent, captivating, first hand view of Black history from the Depression years and the lynching of Blacks to the anti-discrimination movements of the '60s. Earning her way, though many tribulations, from impoverished childhood in Arkansas to actions and respect on the world stage: America, Europe, Africa. An almost unbelievable cast of characters and experiences in between, courageously written. Including a view of American life beyond the Black experience not to be missed.
While not a large part of the story, we see how the development of religious and socialist leanings are natural to her experiences of hardship and discrimination. At the same time, she recognizes that while "we may all be black, we are not cousins." Each must assume self-responsibility.
Also interesting is the obviously superior grade school educational she received, even in segregated, rural Arkansas, over schools today,. Though much of the credit is due to her own active intellect and reading.
While not a large part of the story, we see how the development of religious and socialist leanings are natural to her experiences of hardship and discrimination. At the same time, she recognizes that while "we may all be black, we are not cousins." Each must assume self-responsibility.
Also interesting is the obviously superior grade school educational she received, even in segregated, rural Arkansas, over schools today,. Though much of the credit is due to her own active intellect and reading.
The Jonkheer's Wife, by John Landrum
Mostly, the plight, heroism, and integrity of a woman with small children, whose large home is commandeered for a German district headquarters in Holland. Her husband soon stranded in England will spend the years of the war trying to get back to her, giving us a larger picture of the war Allied effort. One interesting chapter title: "The Strangest People In the World," Americans, of course.
Part of the story background is the insightful depiction of those who welcomed the supposed ideals of Nazism early in the invasion, the true believing German commander, the progressive corruption of troops and administrators as force and "might makes right" takes precedence over individual freedom and rights. Finally the years bring a bureaucratization of Nazism, institutionalizing faceless brutality and injustice, which is worse than the thugs. Worth reading for this alone.
While the German commander's admiration for her grows, a nice touch is his slow realization of how his ideals have been corrupted, in spite of his efforts. He can no longer see himself or his mission as one of honor. (This is reminiscent of Ayn Rand's "We The Living," when the revolutionary hero comes to grasp the true nature of his communist ideals in practice.)
There is more adventure and entertainment than you might imagine from the setting and circumstances. The Jonkheer's wife is not your ordinary woman. Or man, for that matter.
Part of the story background is the insightful depiction of those who welcomed the supposed ideals of Nazism early in the invasion, the true believing German commander, the progressive corruption of troops and administrators as force and "might makes right" takes precedence over individual freedom and rights. Finally the years bring a bureaucratization of Nazism, institutionalizing faceless brutality and injustice, which is worse than the thugs. Worth reading for this alone.
While the German commander's admiration for her grows, a nice touch is his slow realization of how his ideals have been corrupted, in spite of his efforts. He can no longer see himself or his mission as one of honor. (This is reminiscent of Ayn Rand's "We The Living," when the revolutionary hero comes to grasp the true nature of his communist ideals in practice.)
There is more adventure and entertainment than you might imagine from the setting and circumstances. The Jonkheer's wife is not your ordinary woman. Or man, for that matter.
Black Rednecks and White Liberals, by Thomas Sowell
Sowell is always good, a debunker of myths, and this is one of his most fascinating reads. “Much has been written about the sheer neglect of history in our educational institutions . . . Far more insidious and dangerous, however, is the promotion of a history created as a projection into the past of current notions and agendas.”
First, the so-called Black culture exists only in the urban Black centers today – centers created by welfare state activities (housing developments, etc.). Has no correspondence in Africa, but stems from the Cracker/Redneck (proudly dysfunctional) culture of the early settlers of the Southern states, originating in the lawless English-Scottish border lands – from dialect to sloth, eschewing long range planning. No longer significantly evident among Whites or Blacks in the South (or in Scotland since the 1800’s). A fascinating historic sketch.
Illustrates the educational and social success of Blacks, often surpassing Whites of the same community, before the “Liberal” preaching and programs for group identity, rather than individualism.
Illuminates the psychology of ethnic resentments in prospering economies. Identifies “middleman minorities,” the successful business intermediaries between producers and consumers, Jewish groups and many others, and the pattern of hatred and violence against then in history around the world.
Interesting sketch of the economic development of German principalities and culture, aided by the British and French, then the rapid rise after unification in the late 1800’s and subsequent attitudes toward Jews, abetted by the Great Depression. “The rise of such a man [Hitler] as the leader of such a people should serve as a permanent warning to all people everywhere who are charmed by charisma or aroused by rhetoric.” (Certainly a warning for our times.)
Traces the history of slavery worldwide, practiced not because it was thought moral, but because people did not consider the idea of individual freedom at all. The British were the first to recognize slavery as immoral and influence Western culture for its elimination.
“Two fundamental Western mental products, a universalistic conception of human beings and the rule of law.”
First, the so-called Black culture exists only in the urban Black centers today – centers created by welfare state activities (housing developments, etc.). Has no correspondence in Africa, but stems from the Cracker/Redneck (proudly dysfunctional) culture of the early settlers of the Southern states, originating in the lawless English-Scottish border lands – from dialect to sloth, eschewing long range planning. No longer significantly evident among Whites or Blacks in the South (or in Scotland since the 1800’s). A fascinating historic sketch.
Illustrates the educational and social success of Blacks, often surpassing Whites of the same community, before the “Liberal” preaching and programs for group identity, rather than individualism.
Illuminates the psychology of ethnic resentments in prospering economies. Identifies “middleman minorities,” the successful business intermediaries between producers and consumers, Jewish groups and many others, and the pattern of hatred and violence against then in history around the world.
Interesting sketch of the economic development of German principalities and culture, aided by the British and French, then the rapid rise after unification in the late 1800’s and subsequent attitudes toward Jews, abetted by the Great Depression. “The rise of such a man [Hitler] as the leader of such a people should serve as a permanent warning to all people everywhere who are charmed by charisma or aroused by rhetoric.” (Certainly a warning for our times.)
Traces the history of slavery worldwide, practiced not because it was thought moral, but because people did not consider the idea of individual freedom at all. The British were the first to recognize slavery as immoral and influence Western culture for its elimination.
“Two fundamental Western mental products, a universalistic conception of human beings and the rule of law.”
“Those who have no conception of the Constitution of the United States . . . cannot be expected to defend its integrity . . .”
Sowell at his best!
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