[lbo-talk] Noam on intellectuals

Arash arash at riseup.net
Mon Feb 12 13:29:06 PST 2007


Charles Brown wrote:


>
> All intellectuals, including Chomsky, have theory, which is socially and
> transgenerationally developed, not individually. Denial of that one has a
> theory (socially developed) just means one operates with an unconscious
> theory. His own linguistic theory tends to an individualist human nature
> idea, which fits with empiricism/positivism, what Marx terms an
> Robinsonade.
>

I maybe missing a larger point your making about how Chomsky's "anti-theory" stance fits with "Anglo-American mega-trend of empiricism/positivism," but his ideas in linguistics are of a rationalist variety, not empiricist, and he is quite explicit about tracing their origins beyond himself to various precursors from Enlightenment era thought.

Arash



More information about the lbo-talk mailing list