On the priority of character: “Wealth does not bring goodness, but goodness brings wealth and every other blessing, both to the individual and to the State” (Apology, 30b). On the dangers of democracy: “No man on earth who conscientiously opposes you or any other organized democracy, and flatly prevents a great many wrongs and illegalities […]
In class: Socrates in Plato’s *Apology* Read More »
Reprising this chart which integrates the major answers to the question: What makes liberal capitalism good? The chart diagrams the positive claims about liberal capitalism by its defenders — John Locke, Adam Smith, John Stuart Mill, Ludwig von Mises, Ayn Rand, Friedrich Hayek, Milton Friedman, and others. For elaboration, see my book Liberalism Pro and
Justifying liberal capitalism — flowchart Read More »
At Smithsonian Magazine, an eye-opening piece on government-propaganda history. And as government’s acquired powers and bureaucracies tend to persist and grow, the precedent set by Wilson is still with us. Writes professor of journalism Christopher Daly: “The full bundle of techniques pioneered by Wilson during the Great War were updated and used by later presidents
Woodrow Wilson’s 1917 “Ministry of Information” Read More »
Every other year or so I post that the United States Postal Service government monopoly loses billions while private-sector FedEx and UPS were profitable. It’s a multi-decade trend now. FedEx and UPS versus USPS. * USPS Loses $15.9 Billion – But Bosses Get Hefty Compensation Raises. * FedEx Income Statement. * UPS International Profit Rebounds.
USPS still losing big money—2021 edition Read More »
Historically, “right wing” and “left wing” came into use in late 18th-century France, designating seating positions in the Assembly during the early stage of the Revolution. Birds of a feather flocked together. The “right wing” was animated in its opposition to the Enlightenment, whose philosophes had risen to prominence and were poised to transform society
What is “Right Wing”? Read More »
If the pursuit of truth is rejected on postmodern grounds, what replaces it? In this invited lecture, Dr. Hicks surveys key educational ideas from pre-modern times, the modern era, and our post-modern times. Ancient education often stressed discipline, obedience and rule following, while modern thinkers such as Galileo, Locke, and Montaigne stressed independent judgment and
Professor Lentricchia on the use of Power in the Classroom [Pope Lecture Series] Read More »
A few elements from the 1932 Platform of the Democratic Party. Overall the document calls for much expansion of government, but also these: * An immediate and drastic reduction of governmental expenditures by abolishing useless commissions and offices, consolidating departments and bureaus and eliminating extravagance, to accomplish a saving of not less than 25% in
1932 Platform of the Democratic Party Read More »
In this invited lecture, Dr. Hicks surveys key educational ideas from pre-modern times, the modern era, and our post-modern times. Ancient education often stressed discipline, obedience and rule following, while modern thinkers such as Galileo, Locke, and Montaigne stressed independent judgment and the power of reason. He then examines a series postmodern (and fellow-traveler) thinkers