“While much of modern behavioral and social science treats individuals as autonomous agents, it is absolutely clear that the way we think and act is enormously influenced by the culture in which we live. It also is clear that the major elements of modern culture-science, technology, law, music, and religion-have evolved over time in a quite concrete sense of the term. Mesoudi makes these arguments very well and his book is a very good read.” ThinkingWayWellsBookLawCultureIndividualSocialTermTechnologyClearModernElementsMajorsArgumentTreatsVery GoodAgentsConcreteSocial ScienceAutonomousModern CultureScience TechnologyGood Reads Author:Richard R. Nelson
“When I say that terrorism is war against civilization, I may be met by the objection that terrorists are often idealists pursuing worthy ultimate aims -- national or regional independence, and so forth. I do not accept this argument. I cannot agree that a terrorist can ever be an idealist, or that the objects sought can ever justify terrorism. The impact of terrorism, not merely on individual nations, but on humanity as a whole, is intrinsically evil, necessarily evil and wholly evil.” MayWarWholeHumanityEvilIndividualNationsAcceptingObjectsCivilizationMetsArgumentUltimateAimAgreeIndependenceImpactWorthyTerrorismTerroristJustifyObjectionsIdealist Author:Benjamin Netanyahu
“A willingness to engage in the give and take of argument displays a commitment to cognitive egalitarianism - the proposition that all people should be treated as intellectual equals, and that no individual can legitimately claim a privileged immunity from the burden of proof.” PeopleGivingShouldIndividualAtheismIntellectualCommitmentArgumentClaimsBurdenPositive AtheismProofTreatedWillingnessDisplayPrivilegedPropositionsCognitiveImmunityGive And TakeEgalitarianismBurden Of Proof Book:Why Atheism? Source: Why Atheism?
“Obama is not just a powerful speaker, but a thinker engaged with the ideas of his country and his age--this argument by historian James Kloppenberg should therefore fascinate anyone interested in American politics or how ideas shape public life. Tracing the influences of Obama's family, educational, and work experiences on his ideas, Reading Obama locates a unique individual in the crosscurrents of American democracy and continuing fights over American ideals.” ShouldIdeasCountryAgeFightingReadingIndividualPowerfulDemocracyInfluenceShapesUniqueIdealsArgumentEducationalEngagedThinkerHistorianSpeakersContinuingAmerican PoliticsPublic LifeAmerican DemocracyTracingUnique IndividualsWork Experience Author:Martha Minow