There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
There are very few people who are going to look into the mirror and say, 'That person I see is a savage monster;' instead, they make up some construction that justifies what they do.
Interpretation
People often avoid confronting their true selves and instead create justifications for their actions.
Noam Chomsky's quote points to the human tendency to avoid self-reflection and accountability. It suggests that rather than acknowledging our flaws or wrongdoings, we often construct narratives that rationalize our behavior, allowing us to escape the uncomfortable truth of who we are. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and transparency in self-assessment.
In practice
During a seminar on personal growth, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of self-honesty.
There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
The 'free-floating intellectual' may occupy himself with problems because of their inherent interest and importance, perhaps to little effect.
If you're teaching today what you were teaching five years ago, either the field is dead or you are.
The Republican Party has become overwhelmingly so extreme that it's hardly a traditional political party anymore.
There is still much debate about whether torture has been effective in eliciting information - the assumption being, apparently, that if it is effective, then it may be justified.
When Rumsfeld gets up on television and says we have definitive intelligence that al Qaeda is working with Iraq, how is an ordinary citizen supposed to react? They won't tell you the evidence, and when anyone asks, they say, 'Well, you know: It's secret.'
It is when suffering finds a voice and sets our nerves quivering that this pity comes troubling us.
Gamergate is ostensibly about journalistic ethics. Supporters say they want to address conflicts of interest between the people that make games and the people that support them. In reality, Gamergate is a group of gamers that are willing to destroy the women who have invaded their clubhouse.
Fear must be entirely banished. The purified soul will fear nothing.
The ethic of truth is the complete opposite of an 'ethics of communication'. It is an ethic of the Real The ethic of truth is absolutely opposed to opinion, and to ethics in general.
Think often on God, by day, by night, in your business and even in your diversions. He is always near you and with you; leave him not alone.
When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people.
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