Comments on: Missing The Point http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=missing-the-point n. the principle of good order<br /><br /> "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:25:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: tz http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-10650 tz Wed, 14 May 2008 01:37:55 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/#comment-10650 The greatest difficulty is those who the intelligentsia label as experts, or worse, are self-described, are obviously fools as they gush over the fashion sense of the current naked emperor. The neocons have "expertise" in politics. I would say "God help us", but it is too late as the terrible judgment is already well along. There is a resentment to truth, as someone at Takimag pointed out of the hateful atheists. That at least is sincere, and the expertise at least accurate. But even so, Saints are such because they are right - at least as much in deed as in thought. And confronted with such, the only two reasonable reactions are rationalization of one's own terrible state, or true repentance, neither of which are easy or comfortable. They are at least worthy of emulation. All too many elites are so broken as to be worse than laughable. There is a fundamental discernment which they cannot overcome which says "they lead awful lives - even if what they say is true in some sense, why should anyone emulate them when it will only lead to misery?". The greatest difficulty is those who the intelligentsia label as experts, or worse, are self-described, are obviously fools as they gush over the fashion sense of the current naked emperor.

The neocons have “expertise” in politics. I would say “God help us”, but it is too late as the terrible judgment is already well along.

There is a resentment to truth, as someone at Takimag pointed out of the hateful atheists. That at least is sincere, and the expertise at least accurate.

But even so, Saints are such because they are right – at least as much in deed as in thought. And confronted with such, the only two reasonable reactions are rationalization of one’s own terrible state, or true repentance, neither of which are easy or comfortable.

They are at least worthy of emulation. All too many elites are so broken as to be worse than laughable. There is a fundamental discernment which they cannot overcome which says “they lead awful lives – even if what they say is true in some sense, why should anyone emulate them when it will only lead to misery?”.

]]> By: Benny One Six http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-10639 Benny One Six Tue, 13 May 2008 23:50:37 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/#comment-10639 No, in teh soft sciences and art, there is great disagreement as to who is an expert. And, much resentment from those who aren't given as much repsect by the masses as they think they should receive... No, in teh soft sciences and art, there is great disagreement as to who is an expert. And, much resentment from those who aren’t given as much repsect by the masses as they think they should receive…

]]> By: Daniel Larison http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-10611 Daniel Larison Mon, 12 May 2008 22:34:45 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/#comment-10611 In many things, yes, but when it comes to matters pertaining to politics, history, literature or art, I think there is great disrespect for expertise. In many things, yes, but when it comes to matters pertaining to politics, history, literature or art, I think there is great disrespect for expertise.

]]> By: Benny One Six http://www.theamericanconservative.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/comment-page-1/#comment-10610 Benny One Six Mon, 12 May 2008 22:29:07 +0000 http://www.amconmag.com/larison/2008/05/12/missing-the-point/#comment-10610 Not disagreeing with your general point, but this: <i>In our culture today there is an excessive disdain for expertise, as if anyone could equally understand any field and those who have spent many years working on a subject are not better qualified than others, and this, too, is a very democratic habit of despising authority and resenting excellence.</i> ..is quite wrong. People in the US don't disdain expertise, they disdain people whose claim to expertise is based on a diploma etc... People still do want to go to the best doctor, mechanic or chef... Not disagreeing with your general point, but this:

In our culture today there is an excessive disdain for expertise, as if anyone could equally understand any field and those who have spent many years working on a subject are not better qualified than others, and this, too, is a very democratic habit of despising authority and resenting excellence.

..is quite wrong. People in the US don’t disdain expertise, they disdain people whose claim to expertise is based on a diploma etc… People still do want to go to the best doctor, mechanic or chef…

]]>