Posted by Tina
While reading a tribute piece in the Herald Sun titled Alexander Solzhenitsyn feeds the darkest temptation, by Andrew Bolt I came upon a quote from the great Philosopher Karl Popper. The discussion, why so many intellectuals are attracted and seduced by ideologies that aim to replace open societies with tyranny, prompted this wonderful gem:
I am inclined to think that the reason is that they give expression to a deep felt dissatisfaction with a world that does not, and cannot, live up to our moral ideals and to our dreams of perfection. ** (T)he revolt against civilization may bea reaction against the strain of our civilization and its demand for personal responsibility.
Those in the green movement seek to perfect our society. But the convoluted rules and restrictions that spring from movements like these are designed to define and shape an unreasonable ideal, a perfected society. We have been told that people must be controlled and made to conform because they are too stupid or greedy to do the right thing on their own. We have been told that because our system fails to reach perfection in terms of the human condition it must be forsaken for a government controlled system, a government take-over of the oil and health care industries for instance.
My question for you? What makes intellectuals (and pretend intellectuals) think that government in absolute control (administered by mere human beings, after all) wont disappoint in equal or greater measure? Or do they even bother to ask that question?