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Quote by Noam Chomsky

“Intellectuals (in the standard sense of the term, not [ Edward] Said's prescriptive sense) are the people who write history.”

Quote by Noam Chomsky

Author

Noam Chomsky, born on December 7, 1928, is a renowned linguist from the United States. His research in generative grammar and transformational grammar has had a profound impact on modern linguistics. Chomsky's academic achievements extend beyond linguistics, as he is also an active political commentator and philosopher, known for his unique perspective and profound insights. more

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“If the authors and custodians of history turn out to have an attractive image, it is only reasonable to look beyond and ask whether the image they construct is accurate.”

Ifs Looks Turns Asks Attractive Reasonable Accurate Constructs Custodians

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“I think such an inquiry will reveal a rather different picture: namely, it will reveal a very strong tendency for the intellectuals who are respected and privileged to be those who subordinate themselves to power.”

Thinking Different Strong Tendencies Very Strong Privileged Inquiry Subordinates

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“To use the terms that are reserved for official enemies, it is the commissars and apparatchiks, not the dissidents, who are respected and privileged within their own societies.”

Use Term Enemy Officials Privileged Reserved Dissidents

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“To go back to a moment of Western civilization remote enough in time so that we should be able to look at it dispassionately, ask what happened during World War I. What was the typical behavior of respected intellectuals in Germany, England, the United States? What happened to those who publicly questioned the nobility of the war effort, on both sides? I do not think the answers are untypical.”

“The people I find most impressive are generally unknown at the time of their actions and forgotten in history.”

People Action Forgotten Impressive

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“I know of people whose actions and words I admire and respect. Some are called "intellectuals," some are not.”

People Knows Action Admire

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“I do not feel that we should set up PEOPLE as "models"; rather actions, thoughts, principles.”

People Feels Should Action Principles Models

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“I have never heard of anyone who was a "model person" in all aspects of his or her life, intellectual life or other aspects; nor do I see why anyone should care. We are not engaged in idol worship, after all.”

Should Persons Care Heard Worship Intellectual Models Aspect Engaged Idols Intellectual Life Idol Worship

Author:Noam Chomsky

“In the case of [Antonio] Gramsci, the Fascist government agreed that he was a "model intellectual" in [Edward] Said's sense, and for that reason determined, in their words, that "we must stop this brain from functioning for twenty years."”

Years Said Reason Government Brain Cases Intellectual Models Twenties Determined Fascists Antonio

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“[Antonio] Gramsci's words and actions explain their assessment, though I think we should refrain from using the term "model intellectual" for him or others.”

Thinking Should Action Term Intellectual Models Refrain Assessment Words And Actions Antonio

Author:Noam Chomsky