Comments on: Why a Critique of the Totalitarian Humanist State is Essential to a Genuine Radicalism

By: Anatole NoziÃ¨re

Anatole NoziÃ¨re — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:18:00 +0000

I’m 100% in favor of, and sympathetic to, everything in this cogent and well reasoned essay–EXCEPT the conflation of totalitarianism and humanism. I do NOT see that the appalling prevalence of fascist totalitarianism has anything whatsoever to do with humanism. And neither do the neo-con Straussian ideologues who actually, more or less openly, favor the fascist totalitarianism which has so far prevailed. You’ll find no respect for the the values of humanist civilization among them!

You must have a very different definition of humanism from the ones found in my dictionary:

1. any system or mode of thought or action in which human interests, values and dignity predominate.

2. devotion to the study of the humanities.

3. the studies, principles, or culture of the humanists.

4. Philosophy: a variety of ethical theory and practice that emphasizes reason, scientific inquiry, and human fulfillment in the natural world….

Of Course, among fascist/marxist ideologues like Heidegger, Gramsci, Althusser, Foucault, anti-humanism is pretty much a given–because you can’t really be a humanist and believe, as they do, in the social/class construction of human thought and personality. You’ll notice that their arguments against humanism have in fact a palpably resentful, collectivist classism that rejects the very possibility of individual worth and responsibility. This I doubt, on the strength of this essay, to be true of you. But perhaps you could persuade me that I am wrong.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:17:10 +0000

Right on! I think the problem is that many on the Left only hear one version of the leftist agenda, and it’s focused on ends and not means. Quibbling over the means to humanist, liberal ends is seen to be a technical, not a moral, matter. Whatever you can do to reintroduce a more nuanced analysis into the oppositional consciousness would be helpful to all who advocate freedom.

By: Alan

Alan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:32:18 +0000

Kudos.
Many local employers and landlords already do it secretly, but they
need to openly discriminate against heterosexuals, which is still legal
in NC, because they use too much parental leave and childcare benefits.
Tax funded schools and childcare destroy the environment and raise
rents and oil prices by exploiting the childless, especially sports
programs which also encourage bullys.