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Anyone can be a moral individual, concerned with human rights and problems; but only a college professor, a trained expert, can solve technical problems by 'sophisticated' methods. Ergo, it is only problems of the latter sort that are important or real.
Noam Chomsky
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of technical expertise in solving societal issues over mere moral concern.

Noam Chomsky's quote distinguishes between the moral obligations of individuals and the specialized skills required to address complex technical problems. It critiques a societal tendency to prioritize sophisticated methodologies related to technical expertise, suggesting that while everyone can care about human rights, it is the trained professionals, particularly in academic settings, who are equipped to tackle significant and intricate issues effectively. This raises questions about what society deems important and the role of education in addressing those challenges.

Themes

EducationExpertiseMoralityTechnical ProblemsSociety

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the role of academia in addressing global challenges, one might cite this quote to highlight the importance of specialized knowledge.

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