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The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

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Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#11

Post by hekkle »

I would say that one has as much responsibility to society, as that society accepts for the individual.

As a previously homeless veteran, I'd say that is zero. Why should intellectuals, or in fact anyone have any duty to help a system that doesn't help them?

Now I know a lot of people will grandstand and say that if people just started taking on responsibility, then that would improve the system so that it would help more, but again, I did my part and was promised to be taken care of by society with its fingers crossed behind its back.

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#13

Post by s5300 »

hekkle wrote: post #11

I would say that one has as much responsibility to society, as that society accepts for the individual. As a previously homeless veteran, I'd say that is zero. Why should intellectuals, or in fact anyone have any duty to help a system that doesn't help them? Now I know a lot of people will grandstand and say that if people just started taking on responsibility, then that would improve the system so that it would help…

[dead]

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#15

Post by lifeformed »

127 wrote: post #6

Responsibility of intellectuals, or wise men/women, has always been to guide the tribe towards security, happiness and prosperity. Not to sow dissent inside the tribe by moralizing, while completely ignoring all the ills in other tribes. So called "intellectuals" who do it just to further their own selfish goals, should not be awarded high ranking positions.

If morals or ethics aren't an equal partner in security, happiness, and prosperity, then the tribe deserves to fall.

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#16

Post by droopyEyelids »

hekkle wrote: post #11

I would say that one has as much responsibility to society, as that society accepts for the individual. As a previously homeless veteran, I'd say that is zero. Why should intellectuals, or in fact anyone have any duty to help a system that doesn't help them? Now I know a lot of people will grandstand and say that if people just started taking on responsibility, then that would improve the system so that it would help…

This makes sense if you are ok with your life making the world a worse place. Other people want to try and make it nicer.

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#17

Post by hekkle »

droopyEyelids wrote: post #16
hekkle wrote: post #11

I would say that one has as much responsibility to society, as that society accepts for the individual. As a previously homeless veteran, I'd say that is zero. Why should intellectuals, or in fact anyone have any duty to help a system that doesn't help them? Now I know a lot of people will grandstand and say that if people just started taking on responsibility, then that would improve the system so that it would help…

This makes sense if you are ok with your life making the world a worse place. Other people want to try and make it nicer.

Of course, anyone always has the option to volunteer to make the world a better place; but the idea that anyone has a responsibility, or moral obligation to help a society that is actively hostile towards them is insanity.

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#18

Post by glitchc »

droopyEyelids wrote: post #16
hekkle wrote: post #11

I would say that one has as much responsibility to society, as that society accepts for the individual. As a previously homeless veteran, I'd say that is zero. Why should intellectuals, or in fact anyone have any duty to help a system that doesn't help them? Now I know a lot of people will grandstand and say that if people just started taking on responsibility, then that would improve the system so that it would help…

This makes sense if you are ok with your life making the world a worse place. Other people want to try and make it nicer.

Get off your high horse. This person bled for their country and once their service ended, was discarded without a second thought. They are entitled to feel the way they feel and have earned the privilege to voice their outrage. It is our duty to listen.

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#19

Post by Paracompact »

hekkle wrote: post #17
droopyEyelids wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This makes sense if you are ok with your life making the world a worse place. Other people want to try and make it nicer.

Of course, anyone always has the option to volunteer to make the world a better place; but the idea that anyone has a responsibility, or moral obligation to help a society that is actively hostile towards them is insanity.

I feel people failed you in your situation. They had an obligation to help you, and they did not.

Re: The Responsibility of Intellectuals (1967)

#20

Post by keiferski »

Chomsky basically says that intellectuals have a responsibility to expose the lies said by those in power. Hard to argue with, but maybe kind of a platitude.

I think I’d answer this question differently in 2026. The responsibility of intellectuals to society at large today, in an era overwhelmed with information, propaganda, immensely complex issues, etc. is – communicate the issues of the day in a way that is clear and accessible. With the assumption that intellectuals are “experts in ideas.”

I say this because so many contemporary debates seem really mangled and unclear, which makes them basically impossible to solve intellectually. Instead they just turn into battles of will where one side seeks to defeat the other in toto, not actually arrive at a solution that overcomes the conflict.

Unfortunately the academic system is explicitly designed to create specialists, not people that can effectively communicate to the Everyman.

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