Here's a man who says that Washington is incurably sinful but offers no, there's no complexity, no problem, no moral dilemmas in the book. Everything really that those in power do is seen as essentially and necessarily wrong, while public opinion is deemed to be faultless. --Adam Roberts, May 15, 2006 [230]
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The critic argues Chomsky portrays power as inherently corrupt without acknowledging complexity or moral dilemmas.
- In plain terms
- Chomsky sees all powerful actions as wrong and public opinion as perfect.
- What can you take from it?
- Critiques often overlook nuance in their condemnation of authority.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is all power inherently corrupt?
- How do we measure moral complexity?
Another view
The quote itself simplifies Chomsky's work into a single negative claim.
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