There is a problem lurking in the self-flagellating statement to the
Chronicle --- There is an assumption that with MORE FACTS and more respect
for "the truth" colleges and universities will be able to counter-act the
LIARS out there ....

But of course, one of the problems of intellectuals (a crucial point that
Noam Chomsky started making in 1966 and has continued to stress) is that
the more they know, the more they understand, the BETTER they are at ---
ONE, self-delusion, and/or TWO, manipulation to make lies look like truth.

Colleges and Universities can indeed argue for facts and science and the
rationality of "argument" but they cannot MAKE people behave ethically ---

There is nothing in this admonition that recognizes the perversity of
intellectual achievement in the service of power ---

One could even argue that the "more you know" and the "smarter" you are,
the MORE EFFECTIVE you are in both self-delusion AND manipulation ...

(I am willing to agree that aggressively calling out liars --- especially
official lying --- would be a great GOAL for colleges and universities ---
however, let's remember that society rewards those who practice
self-delusion and/or manipulation!)

On Mon, Jan 11, 2021 at 8:14 AM Louis Proyect <[email protected]> wrote:

> Chronicle of Higher Education Review, Jan. 8, 2021
> Colleges Share the Blame for Assault on Democracy
> By Patricia McGuire
>
>
>


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