[lbo-talk] The postmodern prince

[C. G. Estabrook]

I think the reason that Chomsky thinks that theory (under his strict
definition) is possible in the physical sciences and not in the "human
sciences" is that the latter are dealing with much more complex matters.
Quantity becomes quality, and electrons have a low IQ.  That's why he
thinks we learn more about human psychology from 19th-century novels than
from all of modern psychological theorizing.  --CGE

On Mon, 1 Dec 2003, Michael Dawson -PSU wrote:


> Chomsky argues, rightly I think, that understanding what we care about
> in society is not nearly as complex as understanding what we care
> about in the physical sciences.  It's all about power structures, and
> those aren't really super-complicated.  Chomsky argues that knowing
> social theory, for instance, is necessary but way over-rated.  The
> task is to explain how elites organize themselves to threaten, cajole,
> entice, and trick commoners.  If we can fix that problem, we will have
> solved the cardinal social issue.