Posted on 01/19/2023 7:24:04 PM PST by Mean Daddy
Yet the fact that nations and whole civilizations have also collapsed, with tragic repercussions lasting for centuries, is a sobering reminder that there is not an unlimited latitude for error or misconception. Sealing ourselves off from reality within a vision risks the the kinds of catastrophes that blind rulers have brought down upon themselves and their countries, from the days of the Roman Empire to the cataclysm into Hitler led Germany. The key factor in these calamities has often been a blocking of feedback from reality, epitomized by the figurative or literal killing of messengers bringing bad news.
When beliefs are not checked against facts, but instead facts must meet the test of consonance with the prevailing vision, we are in the process of sealing ourselves off from feedback from reality. Heedless of the past, we are flying blind into the future.
Dr. Sowell is a national treasure.
Read John Milton’s Areopagatica, which argues (extensively) the same point, which comes down to (my paraphrase):
1. Only God knows the truth;
2. While a king may be closest to the truth,
3. Even a king does not hold the truth;
4. Therefore, error must be allowed in order to test accepted truths, even those of a king.
https://www.gutenberg.org/files/608/608-h/608-h.htm
Agreed. He is the Rush Limbaugh of the written word.
“Agreed. He is the Rush Limbaugh of the written word.”
Indeed. In fact, he used to be a very frequent Guest Host of Rush’s program. Rush very much admired this man.
I recall he and Walter Washington talking Rush’s show once. Quite the privilege.
“I recall he and Walter Washington talking Rush’s show once. Quite the privilege.”
I believe you meant to say Walter Williams. He too was a great Guest Host. While I enjoyed many of the Guest Hosts, those two men were my favorites. By far. Mark Stynne (sp?), gets my honorable mention.
Thanks for the suggestion. I have placed it on hold on the Libby public library app.
You’re right. I agree, they were my favorite hosts too. When Walter’s wife passed I mourned, because you could tell how much he’d loved her.
I don’t have any to trade, but I strongly recommend reading The Vision of the Anointed: Self-Congratulation as a Basis for Social Policy.
https://www.amazon.com/Vision-Anointed-Self-Congratulation-Social-Policy/dp/046508995X
Over 25 years old, and still relevant as could be.
With a little searching you can find all his audio books on youtube. I play them in my shop as I work. My faviorite, by far, (with the most ammunition to debate liberals (why bother, I know)) is “Vision of the Anointed.”
That book explains EVERYTHING going on in the modern world. Everything.
Yes. I remember Walter Washington, and that he was treated badly. Marion Barry was especially disrespectful to Washington when he succeeded him:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Washington
One of my favorite books. It made a great deal of sense to me.
Agree 100%.
In my list of my top 10 favorite books, Thomas Sowell has three of his in there...
What are the other two?
I haven’t read his whole catalog, something I should probably work on.
Basic Economics is brilliantly done, because it is written in a very approachable way on a subject many people have difficulty wrapping their head around. This should be required reading for ANYONE who professes to be a Conservative.
Thanks.
I’ve read Basic Economics but not the other 3.
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