“These sentences are difficult for the modern reader, who is accustomed to think that the term ‘human nature’ does not correspond to any demonstrable empirical data. But for Spinoza, as for Aristotle, this was not so; nor is it for some contemporary neurophysiologists, biologists, and psychologists.”
Erich Fromm To Have and To Be
In my latest Epoch Times column I say the push to approve the use of Huawei equipment in our 5G network is a classic case of selling them the rope with which they intend to hang us.
“Displacement of ends by means: The desire for a powerful government in order to pursue certain goals seems to have given way to desiring certain goals because they require a powerful government.”
J. Budziszewski "Underground Thomist" email Feb. 25, 2019.
In my latest National Post column I say it’s ridiculous for politicians and commentators to claim the police are not answerable to the people via the politicians we elect.
“Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”
This quotation is hard to source because it seems to originate with Roger Sessions in 1950. But Sessions said Einstein had said it "in effect" and since then it has been very widely attributed to Einstein because who ever heard of Roger Sessions (I hadn’t; turns out he was a composer) whereas Einstein’s the guy with the giant brain and hairdo to match. The Quote Investigator says while Einstein did express this idea at various times it is probably Sessions who, while deflecting the credit, actually created the concise, beloved and much quoted version above.
“Strangely bad reasoning: ‘God hasn’t stopped human beings from committing evil. Therefore I withdraw my faith from God and place it in human beings instead.’”
J. Budziszewski "Underground Thomist" email Feb. 25, 2019.