I believe the second Adams quote is actually from a different Adams. The colonial American history scholar John Truslow Adams wrote those words in an essay called "To Be or To Do" just before the start of the Great Depression. (https://www.gazettenet.com/Archives/2014/01/column-zinan0107-hg ) It also doesn't sound like John Adams. In his day, being "educated" = "how to live" (and also reading Latin and Greek) by definition. Job skills were apprenticeship and didn't count as "education". This distinction came from the classical philosophers. Aristotle would agree completely about the importance of "learning how to live"; although he would also reject job training as "education", since Aristotle was a snob who looked down on anyone who worked for a living. (There's a reason he sat in his chair thinking about falling objects instead of climbing a building and dropping some.)
What's tragically farcical is that today's ruling class rejects that there is a "right way to live" at all, that virtue exists, or that tradition has value beyond buttressing your own sense of moral superiority over your ancestors. They don't really believe this -- they still get married, have children, work hard, educate their kids -- though they use their high pulpits to preach the perpetual NOW to the masses. It's a world where everyone is free to choose everything, and the revolution never ends. On my optimistic days, I chalk this up to a belief in absolute freedom and personal responsibility for all; on my more cynical days, it's just a cruel way for the ruling class to reinforce its own power by making the demos atomized and untrusting, and therefore easier to squash.
Good affirmative action ideas BTW. I'm a Burkean conservative and even I could get behind such a proposal.
Thanks for reading my post and your thoughtful comment. I am flattered that, despite a different political orientation, you can imagine getting behind my proposal.
Brian - your observations and historical perspectives are always illuminating. Thanks.
Many years ago, in my forties, I read Hayek's "Road to Serfdom". My takeaway was that the "expert" class (substituting for your "ruling" class?) through no mal-intent would inadvertently lead us to regressive political and economic policies. Thus, the more reliance we place on a such experts, the more likely we will regress. It made perfect sense to me, and matched many of my observations of the world at work. It reinforced my personal perspective that good-faith skepticism (as opposed to negativism) and conventional wisdom should have a place in every debate. The last several years have seen this conflict highlighted in spades, and frankly, I'm glad it is at the center of some scrutiny. I pine for a Burkean champion to take that side of the discussion!
I am not averse to avoiding race altogether in our laws and institutions and wish we could get to that stage asap. Coleman Hughes is a genius and I agree with his analysis.
However, I am inclined to a more incremental approach. So I am open to considering race in a careful way: which individuals should be eligible and how, and for how many years this accommodation should remain in effect.
Very interesting analysis - linking affirmative action and primary education. And a “key” to prevent overuse/abuse. In my view, AA in the last twenty years (not necessarily originally) has been a horrible disservice to all participants. The exceptions have swallowed the rule.
I have drafted an essay that uses your essay as a critical feature. I am uncomfortable publishing it without your permission. How can I share my original draft before proceeding? My email address is joellorentzen@yahoo.com, if you care to reach back. Thanks,
I believe the second Adams quote is actually from a different Adams. The colonial American history scholar John Truslow Adams wrote those words in an essay called "To Be or To Do" just before the start of the Great Depression. (https://www.gazettenet.com/Archives/2014/01/column-zinan0107-hg ) It also doesn't sound like John Adams. In his day, being "educated" = "how to live" (and also reading Latin and Greek) by definition. Job skills were apprenticeship and didn't count as "education". This distinction came from the classical philosophers. Aristotle would agree completely about the importance of "learning how to live"; although he would also reject job training as "education", since Aristotle was a snob who looked down on anyone who worked for a living. (There's a reason he sat in his chair thinking about falling objects instead of climbing a building and dropping some.)
What's tragically farcical is that today's ruling class rejects that there is a "right way to live" at all, that virtue exists, or that tradition has value beyond buttressing your own sense of moral superiority over your ancestors. They don't really believe this -- they still get married, have children, work hard, educate their kids -- though they use their high pulpits to preach the perpetual NOW to the masses. It's a world where everyone is free to choose everything, and the revolution never ends. On my optimistic days, I chalk this up to a belief in absolute freedom and personal responsibility for all; on my more cynical days, it's just a cruel way for the ruling class to reinforce its own power by making the demos atomized and untrusting, and therefore easier to squash.
Good affirmative action ideas BTW. I'm a Burkean conservative and even I could get behind such a proposal.
Thanks for reading my post and your thoughtful comment. I am flattered that, despite a different political orientation, you can imagine getting behind my proposal.
Yes, indeed, I was mistaken about the Adams quote. An updated version of my piece, which contains the correction, is here: https://freeblackthought.substack.com/p/on-affirmative-action
Brian - your observations and historical perspectives are always illuminating. Thanks.
Many years ago, in my forties, I read Hayek's "Road to Serfdom". My takeaway was that the "expert" class (substituting for your "ruling" class?) through no mal-intent would inadvertently lead us to regressive political and economic policies. Thus, the more reliance we place on a such experts, the more likely we will regress. It made perfect sense to me, and matched many of my observations of the world at work. It reinforced my personal perspective that good-faith skepticism (as opposed to negativism) and conventional wisdom should have a place in every debate. The last several years have seen this conflict highlighted in spades, and frankly, I'm glad it is at the center of some scrutiny. I pine for a Burkean champion to take that side of the discussion!
A very thoughtful and sophisticated analysis and recipe. However, Coleman Hughes makes a strong case for avoiding race in our laws and institutions in his new book. See https://benslivka.com/2024/02/25/the-end-of-race-politics-arguments-for-a-colorblind-america/
I am not averse to avoiding race altogether in our laws and institutions and wish we could get to that stage asap. Coleman Hughes is a genius and I agree with his analysis.
However, I am inclined to a more incremental approach. So I am open to considering race in a careful way: which individuals should be eligible and how, and for how many years this accommodation should remain in effect.
Very interesting analysis - linking affirmative action and primary education. And a “key” to prevent overuse/abuse. In my view, AA in the last twenty years (not necessarily originally) has been a horrible disservice to all participants. The exceptions have swallowed the rule.
Here is a brilliant long essay from 12/1989 by Thomas Sowell: https://www.commentary.org/articles/thomas-sowell-2/affirmative-action-a-worldwide-disaster/
I suspect you are familiar with the "Reservation" system in India?
Gandhi was against it, so it was in the constitution for a 10-year period.
But it proved so useful to the political parties that it was extended and expanded.
Suggesting an "incremental" approach is not feasible.
I have drafted an essay that uses your essay as a critical feature. I am uncomfortable publishing it without your permission. How can I share my original draft before proceeding? My email address is joellorentzen@yahoo.com, if you care to reach back. Thanks,