so thats that, then
“The core of the belief in progress is that human values and goals converge in parallel with our increasing knowledge. The twentieth century shows the contrary. Human beings use the power of scientific knowledge to assert and defend the values and goals they already have. New technologies can be used to alleviate suffering and enhance freedom. They can, and will, also be used to wage war and strengthen tyranny. Science made possible the technologies that powered the industrial revolution. In the twentieth century, these technologies were used to implement state terror and genocide on an unprecedented scale. Ethics and politics do not advance in line with the growth of knowledge — not even in the long run. ”
— John N. Gray
Monday, December 8 at 9:21 pm
“In the twentieth century, these technologies were used to implement state terror and genocide on an unprecedented scale.”
True? Doubt it. Maybe more genocide total, but on a % wise I think we are doing better. Have you seen Braveheart or Gladiator? Those were violent times. People are definitely less likely to be warmongering maniacs than they used to be.
Is the growth of human knowledge really the issue for people in Darfur? I guess it is easier to kill a Darfurian with a gun than a spear, but I think the root of the problem over there probably is not the growth of human knowledge.
I checked out this Gray character on Wiki. It appears that he has made a living on making bold claims. Such as:
“The belief that torture is always wrong is a prejudice inherited from an obsolete philosophy. We need to shed the belief that human rights are violated when a terrorist is tortured. … The UN Declaration of Universal Human Rights embodies the discredited view that torture is inherently incompatible with respect for human rights. Along with other international treaties, it needs modernisation.”
Yeah, more torture is the answer…. what a fucking tool. A real leader in progressing human values and goals.
Tuesday, December 9 at 9:11 am
I don’t think this guy is trying to progress human values, he thinks we are far over-valued as it is. I was reading about his book Straw Dogs. His thesis is that humans do not have a devine right to the earth and we need to stop acting like it. We play ourselves off as much too central a figure when really we are just delusional animals with astray goals. He used to be a subscriber to the “Market” religion and he says science can advance human knowledge, but it can not make you cherish truth. Apparently the book will make me “reeximine my convictions”. Doubt it, but ill bite.
Darfur makes sense but I don’t think he’s talking about that when he speaks of terror and genocide in 20th century (mostly because the war in Darfur started in the 21st century)… and you tellin’ me you’ve never finished a couple episodes of 24, wrapped a towel around Mdog’s head and roleplayed some good ole fashion waterboarding until you extracted the exact whereabouts of OBL? I don’t buy it.