There is no more dangerous thing for a democracy than a foreign policy based on presidential preventive war.
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.Read
Anti-intellectualism has long been the anti-Semitism of the businessman.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Anti-intellectualism often stems from a distrust of educated individuals, paralleling anti-Semitism in its roots among businessmen.
In this quote, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. draws a comparison between anti-intellectualism and anti-Semitism, suggesting that both attitudes are driven by a deep-seated distrust or hostility. He implies that those in business may reject intellectual pursuits and insights, much like historical prejudices against Jewish individuals, revealing how biases can shape societal attitudes toward knowledge and intellect in cultural and economic contexts.
Themes
Anti-IntellectualismPrejudiceBusinessIntellectKnowledge
In practice
Example use cases
Mention this quote during a debate on education reform to highlight the importance of valuing intellectual contributions.
More from Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.
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The genius of impeachment lay in the fact that it could punish the man without punishing the office.
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Clarity in language depends on clarity in thought.
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Man generally is entangled in insoluble problems; history is consequently a tragedy in which we are all involved, whose keynote is anxiety and frustration, not progress and fulfilment.
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In view of the tide of religiosity engulfing a once secular republic it is refreshing to be reminded by Freethinkers that free thought and skepticism are robustly in the American tradition. After all the Founding Fathers began by omitting God from the American Constitution.
Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.Read
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