In his book "The Spirit and Structure of German Fascism",in a chapter entitled “Science: Handmaiden of Inspired Truth,” Robert A. Brady noted how often scientists carelessly “assume that the attempt to think rigorously in one field automatically implies thinking rigorously whenever one thinks about anything at all.” When he does this “he is merely allowing himself to abandon rational criteria in favor of uncritical belief.” Brady pointed out that such “uncritical belief” is often the conventional wisdom, in which God and country rank high.
Could it be that just as Brad DeLong, by an act of patriotic faith, explains Clinton’s wars in the Balkans as based on humanitarian motives, so also he offers implicit apologetics for U.S. policy in Cambodia and East Timor based on the same deep-seated chauvinistic biases? Could these underpin his “allergic reaction” and intellectually degraded and dishonest smear job on Chomsky?
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Well, this is an extraordinary statement. Just this week, on this list, we've read statements from Mr. DeLong that seem to support Herman's analysis.
But don't mind me, I'm reading Zizek's "The Sublime Object of Ideology" and so, am seeing fetishistic belief systems everywhere these days.
And now, we await the needless (and fruitless) flame war.
DRM
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