Intellectuals and Socialism

[William Bonney]

A fantastic peice by Frederick Hayek from 1949 that breaks down the rise of the "intellectuals" as a class unto themselves and the role they played then in shaping American opinions. You can see how the framework that was in its infancy then has matured into a full blown monstrosity in todays culture.

Link

 

[William Bonney]

Introducing the "intellectual".

This is neither that of the original thinker nor that of the scholar or expert in a particular field of thought. The typical intellectual need be neither: he need not possess special knowledge of anything in particular, nor need he even be particularly intelligent, to perform his role as intermediary in the spreading of ideas. What qualifies him for his job is the wide range of subjects on which he can readily talk and write, and a position or habits through which he becomes acquainted with new ideas sooner than those to whom he addresses himself.

 

[claykenny]

Introducing the "intellectual".

This is neither that of the original thinker nor that of the scholar or expert in a particular field of thought. The typical intellectual need be neither: he need not possess special knowledge of anything in particular, nor need he even be particularly intelligent, to perform his role as intermediary in the spreading of ideas. What qualifies him for his job is the wide range of subjects on which he can readily talk and write, and a position or habits through which he becomes acquainted with new ideas sooner than those to whom he addresses himself.

Sounds like Rush.

 

[William Bonney]

The "intellectuals" thought process.

It is perhaps the most characteristic feature of the intellectual that he judges new ideas not by their specific merits but by the readiness with which they fit into his general conceptions, into the picture of the world which he regards as modern or advanced. It is through their influence on him and on his choice of opinions on particular issues that the power of ideas for good and evil grows in proportion to their generality, abstractness, and even vagueness. As he knows little about the particular issues, his criterion must be consistency with his other views and suitability for combining into a coherent picture of the world. Yet this selection from the multitude of new ideas presenting themselves at every moment creates the characteristic climate of opinion, the dominant Weltanschauung of a period, which will be favorable to the reception of some opinions and unfavorable to others and which will make the intellectual readily accept one conclusion and reject another without a real understanding of the issues.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

Introducing the "intellectual".

This is neither that of the original thinker nor that of the scholar or expert in a particular field of thought. The typical intellectual need be neither: he need not possess special knowledge of anything in particular, nor need he even be particularly intelligent, to perform his role as intermediary in the spreading of ideas. What qualifies him for his job is the wide range of subjects on which he can readily talk and write, and a position or habits through which he becomes acquainted with new ideas sooner than those to whom he addresses himself.

You're trying too hard.

 

[claykenny]

The "intellectuals" thought process.

It is perhaps the most characteristic feature of the intellectual that he judges new ideas not by their specific merits but by the readiness with which they fit into his general conceptions, into the picture of the world which he regards as modern or advanced. It is through their influence on him and on his choice of opinions on particular issues that the power of ideas for good and evil grows in proportion to their generality, abstractness, and even vagueness. As he knows little about the particular issues, his criterion must be consistency with his other views and suitability for combining into a coherent picture of the world. Yet this selection from the multitude of new ideas presenting themselves at every moment creates the characteristic climate of opinion, the dominant Weltanschauung of a period, which will be favorable to the reception of some opinions and unfavorable to others and which will make the intellectual readily accept one conclusion and reject another without a real understanding of the issues.

Still sounds like Rush.

 

[ConvenientParking]

That's interesting. Any tips on how to throw a circle change up? I think my grip's too tight but when I loosen up I completely lose control.

 

[ping72]

What qualifies him for his job is the wide range of subjects on which he can readily talk and write

well, yeah, we just eliminated all Trump supporters right there.

 

[ThorneStockton]

You're trying too hard.

OK boomer.

 

[BlackNGoldBleeder]

OK boomer.

Lol

 

[mstp1992]

You're trying too hard.

Correction: his Russian programmer is trying too hard. @William Bonney is not a real person.

 

[William Bonney]

Remember, this is from 1949.

This is true particularly during the early stages of the infiltration of socialist ideas; later, although outside intellectual circles it may still be an act of courage to profess socialist convictions, the pressure of opinion among intellectuals will often be so strongly in favor of socialism that it requires more strength and independence for a man to resist it than to join in what his fellows regard as modern views. Nobody, for instance, who is familiar with large numbers of university faculties (and from this point of view the majority of university teachers probably have to be classed as intellectuals rather than as experts) can remain oblivious to the fact that the most brilliant and successful teachers are today more likely than not to be socialists, while those who hold more conservative political views are as frequently mediocrities. This is of course by itself an important factor leading the younger generation into the socialist camp.

 

[FlickShagwell]

Hey, it’s Billy boy’s nightly socialism induced pants shitting!

 

[William Bonney]

#BetaMales

The main reason for this state of affairs is probably that, for the exceptionally able man who accepts the present order of society, a multitude of other avenues to influence and power are open, while to the disaffected and dissatisfied an intellectual career is the most promising path to both influence and the power to contribute to the achievement of his ideals.

 

[mstp1992]

Still sounds like Rush.

I was thinking King Crimson, but your point still stands.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Well, the link didn't work for me.

But, it doesn't really describe intellectuals IMO, based on the section quoted here .......

It is perhaps the most characteristic feature of the intellectual that he judges new ideas not by their specific merits but by the readiness with which they fit into his general conceptions, into the picture of the world which he regards as modern or advanced.

..... it sounds like most of the posters on this board.

 

[William Bonney]

Well, the link didn't work for me.

It works now. Not sure what was wrong.

 

[funksouljon]

Sounds like Rush.

I was thinking King Crimson, but your point still stands.

I was thinking of Glen Beck.

 

[William Bonney]

Men of limited vision.

It is perhaps the most characteristic feature of the intellectual that he judges new ideas not by their specific merits but by the readiness with which they fit into his general conceptions, into the picture of the world which he regards as modern or advanced.

 

[William Bonney]

The "climate of opinion" of any period is thus essentially a set of very general preconceptions by which the intellectual judges the importance of new facts and opinions.

 

[funksouljon]

Men of limited vision.

It is perhaps the most characteristic feature of the intellectual that he judges new ideas not by their specific merits but by the readiness with which they fit into his general conceptions, into the picture of the world which he regards as modern or advanced.

You mean like being pro-coal during the dawn of the renewables era?

 

[funksouljon]

I don't think you nor he are describing actual intellectuals.

 

[JRHawk2003]

What is it you are arguing for? Just a general nonsensical diatribe. This is the kind of crap people argued at Joe's in 1988 while drunk. BS theoretical nonsense.

 

[SoProudNole]

#BetaMales

The main reason for this state of affairs is probably that, for the exceptionally able man who accepts the present order of society, a multitude of other avenues to influence and power are open, while to the disaffected and dissatisfied an intellectual career is the most promising path to both influence and the power to contribute to the achievement of his ideals.

lol, the only thing exceptional about you is the amount of Drumpf shit you’d be happy to choke down.

 

[William Bonney]

BS theoretical nonsense.

It was to him in 1949, now we have the luxury of historical review and the verdict is damning.

 

[William Bonney]

I don't think you nor he are describing actual intellectuals.

Can you do better?

 

[JRHawk2003]

It was to him in 1949, now we have the luxury of historical review and the verdict is damning.

Its not that complicated. Since you are a troll, paid or otherwise, its pointless to discuss.

 

[Jackie Treehorn]

Well, the link didn't work for me.

But, it doesn't really describe intellectuals IMO, based on the section quoted here .......

It is perhaps the most characteristic feature of the intellectual that he judges new ideas not by their specific merits but by the readiness with which they fit into his general conceptions, into the picture of the world which he regards as modern or advanced.

..... it sounds like most of the posters on this board.

You’ve got some guts to click on a link from Russia.

 

[William Bonney]

You’ve got some guts to click on a link from Russia.

Actually it's from a well known American institution.

 

[Rudolph]

What's great about Billy B is everything he does is great.

 

[William Bonney]

What's great about Billy B is everything he does is great.

You aspire to be one of Hayek's "intellectuals". Alas...

 

[funksouljon]

Can you do better?

Its not that complicated. Since you are a troll, paid or otherwise, its pointless to discuss.

Well Bonny, I could ignore you like many, so at least be happy someone is talking to you.


And if you mean actually describing what an intellectual is and put it in paper form, yes probably. And certainly if I had time to sit around and pontificate and build a paper around my own ideology so that it fits but doesn't hold up to scrutiny.

 

[William Bonney]

Well Bonny, I could ignore you like many, so at least be happy someone is talking to you.


And if you mean actually describing what an intellectual is and put it in paper form, yes probably.

Why would you ignore me? I'm delightful.

 

[Rudolph]

You aspire to be one of Hayek's "intellectuals". Alas...

I do? Prove it.

 

[TheCainer]

Actually it's from a well known American institution.

A well known American institution that's run by...let me guess...intellectuals?

 

[William Bonney]

I do? Prove it.

Read the article.

 

[Rudolph]

Read the article.

I did. So you have a thesis. You think I aspire to be an intellectual as defined by Hayek. Prove it. Shouldn't be hard. In a few clicks you can see every post I've composed, chronologically, going back years. It shouldn't take much time to build your case.

As you consider this effort, I'll just say it doesn't take an intellectual—by anybody's definition—to recognize your dumbassery.

 

[funksouljon]

A well known American institution that's run by...let me guess...intellectuals?

That may be debatable. It is hosted by the Mises Institute, who is a nonprofit think-tank located in Auburn, Alabama,. Notoriously home to many of the nations forward thinkers.

And from wiki "The Mises Institute has been criticized by some libertarians for the adoption of paleolibertarian and right-wing cultural views by some of its leading figures, on topics such as race, immigration, and the presidential campaign of Donald Trump.[11]"

 

[FlickShagwell]

This is the kind of crap people argued at Joe's in 1988 while drunk. BS theoretical nonsense.

Having argued BS theoretical nonsense at Joe’s many a night during my 10 years in Iowa City, I resent this comment.

 

[William Bonney]

That may be debatable. It is hosted by the Mises Institute, who is a nonprofit think-tank located in Auburn, Alabama,. Notoriously home to many of the nations forward thinkers.

And from wiki "The Mises Institute has been criticized by some libertarians for the adoption of paleolibertarian and right-wing cultural views by some of its leading figures, on topics such as race, immigration, and the presidential campaign of Donald Trump.[11]"

Well if wiki says it...