Posted on 12/30/2020 9:23:17 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
This book was published in 2013 but I just learned about it today.
In this far-reaching study, Peikoff identifies the three methods people use to integrate concrete data into a whole, as when connecting diverse experiments by a scientific theory, or separate laws into a Constitution, or single events into a story. The first method, in which data is integrated through rational means, he calls Integration. The second, which employs non-rational means, he calls Misintegration. The third is Disintegration—which is nihilism, the desire to tear things apart.
In The DIM Hypothesis Peikoff demonstrates the power of these three methods in shaping the West, by using the categories to examine the culturally representative fields of literature, physics, education, and politics. His analysis illustrates how the historical trends in each field have been dominated by one of these three categories, not only today but during the whole progression of Western culture from its beginning in Ancient Greece.
Extrapolating from the historical pattern he identifies, Peikoff concludes by explaining why the lights of the West are going out—and predicts the most likely future for the United States.
4.33 avg rating • 294 ratings by Goodreads
ISBN 10: 0451234812 ISBN 13: 9780451234810
I haven't read this yet, but there are many good reviews on Amazon. It would be good if Mr Peikoff would update it to take account of the second Obama administration, the Trump administration and the precipice we find ourselves at today.
Has anybody read it? What did you think?
Leonard Peikoff.
Now there’s a name I haven’t seen in years.
Peikoff was something like Ayn Rand’s #1 acolyte and keeper of the Objectivist flame after her breakup with Nathaniel Brandon.
Murray Rothbard was a great source for tales of the soap opera that was the Randian inner circle in New York.
Bookmark
One of the reviewers on Amazon made reference to Rand and Objectivism. I think it was this reviewer who said that you should study Rand to make sense of Peikoff.
Is Peikoff worth reading?
Worth a look.
A little stray from topic but it seemed a good place to stick this...
documentary on Prime: How the Specter of Communism Is Ruling Our World
Thanks. I’ll check that out (when I’m in the mood to get even more depressed).
He wrote a very good book back in the 80s called “The Ominous Parallels” where he looked at the Weimar Republic and on into nazi Germany and saw the USA headed down a similar path.
It has turned out to be tragically close to what we are seeing now.
He’s worth a read.
I have that book, though I haven’t read it in at least 25 years. Yeah, it was ominous - and probably is more so after the events since 1/20/1993.
Read later.
Not in my opinion. It depends upon your tolerance for boredom. Rand created a cult. Her writings are their holy writ and their non-theistic religion is Objectivism. Objectivism is Rand pretending to be a philosopher with capitalism and some variant of radical individualism being its obsession.
Murray Rothbard was a member of Rand’s study group in NYC. She actually ran it like the Red Queen from Alice in Wonderland. It’s amusing to read his memory of what went on there, Rand telling people who to marry, ordering them to divorce and other such craziness that they slavishly obeyed.
Bkmk
Alan Greenspan was a part of Rand’s group, IIRC
At its most basic root, the problem is that a culture hasn’t been transmitted from WASP America to the current population - and in many cases, the DNA hasn’t either. We now have a population living here in our system that for the most part has no relation whatsoever to the people who built it - culturally, ethnically, etc..
He will not be updating this book. He supported Trump in this election for the reasons any sentient being does. Recently I asked what he thinks will happen to this country, i.e., Western Civ, he told me to read the last chapter of this book (again).
“The Ominous Parallels: the End of Freedom in America” has an introduction by Ayn Rand written before her death. It is the only book she ever recommended. In it, Peikoff predicted a Weimar phase in contemporary America such as we’re seeing today. I think his chapter on the America is best tribute to our Founders that I’ve ever read.
The question he sought to answer is: what caused the Nation of Arts and Literature, Germany, to embrace Nazism? As he discovered the answer, he drew ominous parallels to where America was heading in 1970’s. And where it would lead if there wasn’t a philosophical revolution in the universities. Since nothing impeded the nihilism of philosophy depts. in our universities, we are on “The Road to Serfdom”. Sadly for our children and grandchildren who are still young.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.