Off the Marx -- The BBC Radio is running a poll in which they are asking their listeners to name the world’s greatest philosopher. Guess who has taken the lead? Plato? Aristotle? Thomas Aquinas? Hobbes? No. At the top of the list is Karl Marx.
The fact that the Brits would pick someone who isn’t even a philosopher shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, when polled about the top “public intellectual” they picked a guy who isn’t all that “bright.”
Doggie Bags -- Does PETA now stand for “People Executing The Animals”?
Carnival Watch -- The latest Storyblogging Carnival is online at Back of the Envelope. This latest installment includes the conclusion to Donald Crankshaw’s novella.
Continuing to Fight -- John Coleman has a post on Susan Torres, a pregnant woman who is in an irreversible coma due to cancer. Torres husband has kept her on life support so that the doctors will have the chance to deliver their unborn child at the beginning of July. They have established a fund in her name to defray medical expenses ($1500 per day).
Out of Context -- Ever heard a sermon that uses scripture in a way that has nothing to do with the original meaning of the text or how the author would have intended it to be understood? Peter Bogert explains the problem with using this approach – even when it provides "deeper" insights.
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These polls nearly always produce odd results and should never be taken seriously.
But I think you're mistaken about Marx - I reckon a strong case could be made for him to be called a philosopher. That doesn't make him the "greatest" of course.
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Incidentally, months ago, Doc Rampage linked to a group which claims that this sort of activity by PETA is widespread. I was skeptical at the time (and not interested enough to do the necessary research), but I'm now beginning to wonder.
posted on 06.23.2005 6:47 AM5
Joe,
Apart from disagreeing with your remarks about the "Brits", I'm offended by them, and am confused about why a (fellow neo-Calvinist?) Christian would make such inflammatory remarks.
May I point out that, contrary to what you seem to imply below, England is not an island (and neither is is it the British Empire, so this paragraph also reads badly). The countries of Scotland, England, and Wales make up the Island of Great Britain, which along with Northern Ireland form the United Kingdom. Moreover, C.S.Lewis is from Northern Ireland (as am I).
I don't think remarks such as the below help anyone.
Paul
"There was once a time when the English produced some of the finest minds in history. The island once gave the world such giants as Newton, Shakespeare, and Milton, as well as lesser titans such as Churchill, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. Sadly, the British Empire no longer produces such geniuses. The once great country is forced to scrape the dregs of its populace just to produce someone worthy of the title “intellectual.” What an embarrassment it must be for them to be reduced to selecting as their “top public intellectual” the zoologist Richard Dawkins."
posted on 06.23.2005 11:21 AM6
May I point out that, contrary to what you seem to imply below, England is not an island (and neither is is it the British Empire, so this paragraph also reads badly).
Actually, I was implying something entirely different but equally erroneous. My use of “English” was meant to refer not only the English but to the Scottish and Irish as well (Anglo-Saxon might have been a better term). Americans have a tendency to lump peoples into one group. It simplifies the stereotyping process. ; )
I don't think remarks such as the below help anyone.
I think if you’ll read the passage again…
>Sadly, the British Empire no longer produces such geniuses. The once great country is forced to scrape the dregs of its populace just to produce someone worthy of the title “intellectual.” What an embarrassment it must be for them to be reduced to selecting as their “top public intellectual” the zoologist Richard Dawkins."
…you’ll see that I was being sarcastic. It’s not that I really believe the UK does not still produce great intellects but merely that if Dawkins is the best that can be found then there must be a dearth of choices.
It wasn’t intended to be a true insult to the English (or Scottish, or Irish) but rather a cheap shot at Dawkins.
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Joe,
Thanks for your reply. I did read the post at the time, but didn't comment on it because of the sarcasm. But when read in conjunction with...
"The fact that the Brits would pick someone who isn’t even a philosopher shouldn’t be too surprising. After all, when polled about the top “public intellectual” they picked a guy who isn’t all that “bright.”"
...perhaps you can understand why "Brits" might be annoyed.
Best,
Paul
posted on 06.23.2005 12:21 PM