From: Valuemetaphysics@aol.com
Date: Fri Jun 11 2004 - 22:23:59 BST
Hi All,
Mark M writes:
> as many of you may know i have been trying to promote an intellectual
> dialogue with Platt Holden regarding the work of Noam Chomsky, an MIT
> member and acclaimed academic in linguistics.
>
> The dialogue has been most difficult. After some persistence, Platt Holden
> recommended two sources of Intellectual Quality: Ayn Rand and Rush
> Limbaugh. R.L. cannot be regarded as an academic and must be dismissed
> almost immediately.
The notion that one must be an academic to possess intellectual quality is
astonishing. In fact, in Chapter 24 of Lila, Pirsig faulted the low
intellectual quality of academe:
"Phaedrus now thought that part of the professors paralysis was a
commitment to the twentieth-century intellectual doctrines, in which his
university has had a prominent role."
Dismissing the thought of an individual because he isn't an "academic" is
elitism of the worse sort. It has no place in forum dedicated to the free
exchange of ideas open to anybody and everybody.
Regards,
Platt
Dear Forum,
Please read the above very carefully.
Now note a few things:
1. Platt Holden kicks in his usual tactic of avoiding 99% of what is said and
resorts to nonsense in his reply:
Mark: "Ayn Rand deserves more consideration as a philosopher and thinker. My
research into Rand's philosophical position has indicated very clearly that
her Objectivism is totally incompatible with the MOQ."
Platt Holden does not address the issue of Objectivism's incompatibility with
the MOQ because he can't. That put's and end to Ayn Rand. So, he chooses to
ignore that completely and suggest, quite correctly, that one does not have to
be a member of academia to be an intellectual.
2. "Phaedrus now thought that part of the professors paralysis was a
commitment to the twentieth-century intellectual doctrines, in which his
university has had a prominent role."
Mark: The proffessors' in question is not a group of professors, but a
particular individual. He is an Aristotelian, as is Ayn Rand.
3. Platt Holden says, "Dismissing the thought of an individual because he
isn't an "academic" is elitism of the worse sort." Platt Holden has not
considered economic 'elitism' which denies democratic rights to individuals in favour
of business interest. Platt Holden has strongly asserted that he will not
research for himself evidence which has been brought to his attention by numerous
members of this very forum.
And then Platt Holden has the brass neck to begin carping on about elitism.
4. To return to that 99% which Platt Holden avoids: It is a matter for clear
intellectual enquiry for anyone to compare Ayn Rand's Objectivism with the
MOQ. All this is totally ignored in this response. It is ignored because Platt
Holden cannot challenge it.
All the best,
Mark
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