The perverse anti-Westernism of the cultural elite
Keith Windschuttle
Address to: Summer Sounds Symposium, Punga Cove, New Zealand
February 11 2006
"For the past three decades and more, many of the leading opinion makers in our universities, the media and the arts have regarded Western culture as, at best, something to be ashamed of, or at worst, something to be opposed. "
Read the whole article Here!
This is well worth the read, even if you do not agree with much of the content. Some of the reversals in opinion that the author details make me think that an analysis of the power micro-relations at play (which would reveal many academics and 'experts' selling out their overall ideals and culture for short term noteriety and the irresistable urge to be contrary) is more likely to explain their actions than anlysing these opinions as such.
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2 comments:
Hello there just leaving a comment here. Came by this blog randomly, but I like some of the links and arguments here. Will be starting university in a few months time so hopefully your blog will give me a bit of a headstart on philosophy. Anyhow, cheers.
-daniel
Update:
I'm saddened by the reaction that many people have had to this article.
While it should not matter, I am uncomfortable in knowing that this article is viewed with approval by those who frequent white supremacist forums and give themselves nicknames such as 'Panzerelite'.
The article hints at an interesting geaneology of ideas in the Left, how certain positions can go from demonising to supporting a practice. More importantly there is also the overall idea that there are some things about western culture that are worth being proud of, and that to think otherwise is a mistake.
Personally I think it would be a mistake to think that there is nothing good about western culture and values, but I also think that there are not many people (in the 'West' at least) who honestly think this, or if they do, they are mistaken or inconsistent in their views.
To be perfectly clear, neither myself nor any other member of the Philosophy Club (that I know of) nor the club as an organisation endorses the kind of racist views that seem to be associated with this piece.
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