There is no plausible theory under which the record of the Pentagon Papers can be interpreted as relating to the national defense.
Noam ChomskyRead
As for my own views, they've of course evolved over the years. This conception of 'renouncing beliefs' is very odd, as if we're in some kind of religious cult. I 'renounce beliefs' practically every time I think about the topics or find out what someone else is thinking.
Interpretation
Beliefs are not static; they should evolve with new understanding and perspectives.
Noam Chomsky suggests that beliefs should be fluid and adaptable rather than rigid and dogmatic. He expresses a view that reevaluating and sometimes renouncing our beliefs in light of new information or perspectives is not only natural but essential, contrasting this rational approach with the notion that holding on to fixed beliefs is akin to belonging to a cult.
In practice
Discussing the importance of flexibility in beliefs during a philosophy class.
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.
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.
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.
The whole world might know you and acclaim you, but someone in the past, forever unreachable, forever unknowing, spoils it all.
Delusion means mortality. And awareness means Buddhahood.
Many people want the government to protect the consumer. A much more urgent problem is to protect the consumer from the government.
When the philosopher's argument becomes tedious, complicated, and opaque, it is usually a sign that he is attempting to prove as true to the intellect what is plainly false to common sense.
The goal of a life free of dysphoria is a snare and a delusion. A better goal is of good commerce with the world. Authentic happiness, astonishingly, can occur even in the presence of authentic sadness.
By adopting the control strategy, the nation's environmental program has created a built-in antagonism between environmental quality and economic growth.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.