the way of esoteric knowledge. This body of knowledge will vary characteristically from one culture to another, differing both in content and in respect of the canons of truth and reality relied on by its adepts. But there is this common trait running through all civilizations, as touches this range of esoteric knowledge, that it is in all cases held, more or less closely, in the keeping of a select body of adepts or specialists -- scientists, scholars, savants, clerks, priests, shamans, medicinemen -- whatever designation may best fit the given case."
Showing posts with label veblen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label veblen. Show all posts
9/21/11
Scientists, scholars, savants, clerks, priests, shamans, medicinemen
" In any known civilization there will be found something in
the way of esoteric knowledge. This body of knowledge will vary characteristically from one culture to another, differing both in content and in respect of the canons of truth and reality relied on by its adepts. But there is this common trait running through all civilizations, as touches this range of esoteric knowledge, that it is in all cases held, more or less closely, in the keeping of a select body of adepts or specialists -- scientists, scholars, savants, clerks, priests, shamans, medicinemen -- whatever designation may best fit the given case."
the way of esoteric knowledge. This body of knowledge will vary characteristically from one culture to another, differing both in content and in respect of the canons of truth and reality relied on by its adepts. But there is this common trait running through all civilizations, as touches this range of esoteric knowledge, that it is in all cases held, more or less closely, in the keeping of a select body of adepts or specialists -- scientists, scholars, savants, clerks, priests, shamans, medicinemen -- whatever designation may best fit the given case."
8/3/11
"Social science should not have control or prediction as its aim"
The Charles Sanders Peirce Daily - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com
Headline and following in quotes are from A Thief of Peirce, Jackson, 1995, 280-281.
"It's object should be to increase our understanding of social realities ... No one who desires dictatorial control over other persons can be a scientist."
The ultimate or ontological values common to all protect against the dictatorial urge. Democracy mediates among interests. Tolerance is strong in the face of provocation. Helpfulness motivates awareness of universal aspirations. And non-idolatry modifies the regal impulse.
7/22/11
Dumbest sentence of the morning so far
Most Expensive Cars | Celebrity Net Worth: "These innovative cars have exclusive features that are exotic, decked out in leather, and resemble cockpits instead of dashboards." I want a feature decked out in leather!
Global Online Privacy
7/16/11
Some Day Charities Will Be Understood To Be Part of a Web of Corruption
How Rupert Murdoch’s Money Helps Him Makes Friends - The Daily Beast: "Over the past decade, Murdoch and his company News Corp. have spent close to $50 million sowing the seeds of goodwill here in America through well-heeled lobbyists, seven-figure political donations, and large charitable contributions to key nonprofit groups." It's not that they are all criminals. It is because they embrace the values of the haves whuch is why we have excrescences like the Aspen Institute masquerading as mainline intellectual watering holes. Better a diner somewhere methinks. The NYT is the sign and seal of the sell-out of our culture to growth, upward mobility and other non-Veblenian objectives. Murdoch will be a convenient scapegoat while the game goes on.
Global Online Privacy
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Commens Peirce Dictionary: Sign : ""I define a Sign as anything which is so determined by something else, called its Object, and s... -
A Setting for a Poem "Denial" Beloved by the Greek People by the Nobel Prize Winning Poet Giorgos Seferis http://www.youtube.c...
