Thomas Sowell ( 10 of 95 )
To include freedom in the very definition of democracy is to define a process not by its actual characteristics as read more
To include freedom in the very definition of democracy is to define a process not by its actual characteristics as a process but by its hoped for results. This is not only intellectually invalid, it is, in practical terms, blinding oneself in advance to some of the unwanted consequences of the process.
The celebration of unbounded individualism means, beyond some point, the acceptance of force- either private (crime, riot, vigilanteism) or public read more
The celebration of unbounded individualism means, beyond some point, the acceptance of force- either private (crime, riot, vigilanteism) or public (authoritarianism).
Morality, like other inputs into the social process, follows the law of diminishing returns- meaning ultimately, negative returns. People can read more
Morality, like other inputs into the social process, follows the law of diminishing returns- meaning ultimately, negative returns. People can be too moral.
If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.
If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.
"What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic read more
"What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic than loss of freedom. That does not prevent these from being two different things.
The anointed don't like to talk about painful trade-offs. They like to talk about happy "solutions" that get rid of read more
The anointed don't like to talk about painful trade-offs. They like to talk about happy "solutions" that get rid of the whole problem- at least in their imagination.
Organizational progress parallels that in science and technology, permitting ultimate simplicity through intermediate complexity.
Organizational progress parallels that in science and technology, permitting ultimate simplicity through intermediate complexity.
No matter how disastrously some policy has turned out, anyone who criticizes it can expect to hear: "But what would read more
No matter how disastrously some policy has turned out, anyone who criticizes it can expect to hear: "But what would you replace it with?" When you put out a fire, what do you replace it with?
The welfare state is not really about the welfare of the masses. It is about the egos of the elites.
The welfare state is not really about the welfare of the masses. It is about the egos of the elites.
...each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it read more
...each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late.
