Beware of Intellectuals! Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a...

Blade_Runner Loc: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a superb chronicler of the past.

His book, Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre and Chomsky is a remarkable indictment of despots and tyrants.

Here is the final paragraph of the book:

What conclusions should be drawn? Readers will judge for themselves. But I think I detect today a certain public scepticism when intellectuals stand up to preach to us, a growing tendency among ordinary people to dispute the right of academics, writers and philosophers, eminent though they may be, to tell us how to behave and conduct our affairs. The belief seems to be spreading that intellectuals are no wiser as mentors, or worthier as exemplars, than the witch doctors or priests of old. I share that scepticism. A dozen people picked at random on the street are at least as likely to offer sensible views on moral and political matters as a cross-section of the intelligentsia. But I would go further. One of the principal lessons of our tragic century, which has seen so many millions of innocent lives sacrificed in schemes to improve the lot of humanity, is beware intellectuals. Not merely should they be kept well away from the levers of power, they should also be objects of particular suspicion when they seek to offer collective advice. Beware committees, conferences and leagues of intellectuals. Distrust public statements issued from their serried ranks. Discount their verdicts on political leaders and important events. For intellectuals, far from being highly individualistic and non-conformist people, follow certain regular patterns of behaviour. Taken as a group, they are often ultra-conformist within the circles formed by those whose approval they seek and value. That is what makes them, en masse, so dangerous, for it enables them to create climates of opinion and prevailing orthodoxies, which themselves often generate irrational and destructive courses of action. Above all, we must at all times remember what intellectuals habitually forget: that people matter more than concepts and must come first. The worst of all despotisms is the heartless tyranny of ideas.

Auntie Dee

LOVE IT, THANK YOU!

woodguru

They are way smarter and trickier than morons?

Iliamna1

Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 NASB 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Solomon knew what he was speaking of. There truly is nothing new under the sun.

Blade_Runner Loc: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

woodguru wrote:

They are way smarter and trickier than morons?

"You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile."

Singularity

Blade_Runner wrote:

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a superb chronicler of the past.

His book, Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre and Chomsky is a remarkable indictment of despots and tyrants.

Here is the final paragraph of the book:

What conclusions should be drawn? Readers will judge for themselves. But I think I detect today a certain public scepticism when intellectuals stand up to preach to us, a growing tendency among ordinary people to dispute the right of academics, writers and philosophers, eminent though they may be, to tell us how to behave and conduct our affairs. The belief seems to be spreading that intellectuals are no wiser as mentors, or worthier as exemplars, than the witch doctors or priests of old. I share that scepticism. A dozen people picked at random on the street are at least as likely to offer sensible views on moral and political matters as a cross-section of the intelligentsia. But I would go further. One of the principal lessons of our tragic century, which has seen so many millions of innocent lives sacrificed in schemes to improve the lot of humanity, is beware intellectuals. Not merely should they be kept well away from the levers of power, they should also be objects of particular suspicion when they seek to offer collective advice. Beware committees, conferences and leagues of intellectuals. Distrust public statements issued from their serried ranks. Discount their verdicts on political leaders and important events. For intellectuals, far from being highly individualistic and non-conformist people, follow certain regular patterns of behaviour. Taken as a group, they are often ultra-conformist within the circles formed by those whose approval they seek and value. That is what makes them, en masse, so dangerous, for it enables them to create climates of opinion and prevailing orthodoxies, which themselves often generate irrational and destructive courses of action. Above all, we must at all times remember what intellectuals habitually forget: that people matter more than concepts and must come first. The worst of all despotisms is the heartless tyranny of ideas.

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest his... (show quote)

2 Timothy 2:15, KJV: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of t***h."

Singularity

Iliamna1 wrote:

Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 NASB 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Solomon knew what he was speaking of. There truly is nothing new under the sun.

Old Solomon needed some Prozac, man!

Old, jaded humans of long experience can get weary of looking and wondering at things, even when presented in a new light.

Every child, a new and unique combination of existing matter and energy begins again the new, for her, discovery of the myriad millions of things under the sun and beyond.

Even the most jaded among us can pause and smile at the child, remembering who we once were.

Every second we breathe presents a new unique and potentially exhilarating recombination of all the old familiar things under the sun. There is always something new, right around the corner, from a properly balanced point of view!

Kevyn

Blade_Runner wrote:

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a superb chronicler of the past.

His book, Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre and Chomsky is a remarkable indictment of despots and tyrants.

Here is the final paragraph of the book:

What conclusions should be drawn? Readers will judge for themselves. But I think I detect today a certain public scepticism when intellectuals stand up to preach to us, a growing tendency among ordinary people to dispute the right of academics, writers and philosophers, eminent though they may be, to tell us how to behave and conduct our affairs. The belief seems to be spreading that intellectuals are no wiser as mentors, or worthier as exemplars, than the witch doctors or priests of old. I share that scepticism. A dozen people picked at random on the street are at least as likely to offer sensible views on moral and political matters as a cross-section of the intelligentsia. But I would go further. One of the principal lessons of our tragic century, which has seen so many millions of innocent lives sacrificed in schemes to improve the lot of humanity, is beware intellectuals. Not merely should they be kept well away from the levers of power, they should also be objects of particular suspicion when they seek to offer collective advice. Beware committees, conferences and leagues of intellectuals. Distrust public statements issued from their serried ranks. Discount their verdicts on political leaders and important events. For intellectuals, far from being highly individualistic and non-conformist people, follow certain regular patterns of behaviour. Taken as a group, they are often ultra-conformist within the circles formed by those whose approval they seek and value. That is what makes them, en masse, so dangerous, for it enables them to create climates of opinion and prevailing orthodoxies, which themselves often generate irrational and destructive courses of action. Above all, we must at all times remember what intellectuals habitually forget: that people matter more than concepts and must come first. The worst of all despotisms is the heartless tyranny of ideas.

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest his... (show quote)

Education and intellectual curiosity has been the downfall of every great nation. The secret to success is blind loyalty to a strongman ideologue, and demonization of the educated. A great example is Cambodia under Pol Pot.

Singularity

Kevyn wrote:

Education and intellectual curiosity has been the downfall of every great nation. The secret to success is blind loyalty to a strongman ideologue, and demonization of the educated. A great example is Cambodia under Pol Pot.

Well, yeah. There IS that to consider, of course.....

Singularity

woodguru wrote:

They are way smarter and trickier than morons?

And generally more attractive, physically.

Not bragging or anything.

It is known.

lpnmajor Loc: Arkansas

Blade_Runner wrote:

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a superb chronicler of the past.

His book, Intellectuals: From Marx and Tolstoy to Sartre and Chomsky is a remarkable indictment of despots and tyrants.

Here is the final paragraph of the book:

What conclusions should be drawn? Readers will judge for themselves. But I think I detect today a certain public scepticism when intellectuals stand up to preach to us, a growing tendency among ordinary people to dispute the right of academics, writers and philosophers, eminent though they may be, to tell us how to behave and conduct our affairs. The belief seems to be spreading that intellectuals are no wiser as mentors, or worthier as exemplars, than the witch doctors or priests of old. I share that scepticism. A dozen people picked at random on the street are at least as likely to offer sensible views on moral and political matters as a cross-section of the intelligentsia. But I would go further. One of the principal lessons of our tragic century, which has seen so many millions of innocent lives sacrificed in schemes to improve the lot of humanity, is beware intellectuals. Not merely should they be kept well away from the levers of power, they should also be objects of particular suspicion when they seek to offer collective advice. Beware committees, conferences and leagues of intellectuals. Distrust public statements issued from their serried ranks. Discount their verdicts on political leaders and important events. For intellectuals, far from being highly individualistic and non-conformist people, follow certain regular patterns of behaviour. Taken as a group, they are often ultra-conformist within the circles formed by those whose approval they seek and value. That is what makes them, en masse, so dangerous, for it enables them to create climates of opinion and prevailing orthodoxies, which themselves often generate irrational and destructive courses of action. Above all, we must at all times remember what intellectuals habitually forget: that people matter more than concepts and must come first. The worst of all despotisms is the heartless tyranny of ideas.

Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest his... (show quote)

You know they have to publish crap to get/keep tenure and new Doctoral degree hopefuls have to find a new spin for their thesis. We re-invent the wheel endlessly, finding brand new stuff....................that was common knowledge decades ago.

Before health insurance, a piglet would pay for a Doctor ( more likely a Midwife ) to deliver your 23 child.

Rose42

woodguru wrote:

They are way smarter and trickier than morons?

Being smart doesn’t equate to being wise. Pretty simple and valid concept.

Good article. And he’s dead on.

Rose42

Iliamna1 wrote:

Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 NASB 12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body. 13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.

Solomon knew what he was speaking of. There truly is nothing new under the sun.

Yes he did. Haven’t read Ecclesiastes in a while.

working class stiff Loc: N. Carolina

"Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a superb chronicler of the past."

Ignorance is bliss?

I think I'll just ignore this intellectual's advice, as he advocates.

Blade_Runner Loc: DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

working class stiff wrote:

"Paul Johnson is considered one of the greatest historians of the 20th century. He is one of the most prolific British writers of the last half-century and a superb chronicler of the past."

Ignorance is bliss?

I think I'll just ignore this intellectual's advice, as he advocates.

Probably best that you do. It would be extremely damaging to your ultra-conformist world view to try to comprehend anti-intellectualism.