'Cultural Marxism' Is Not the True Culprit of Our Cultural Decay
I wasn't aware that John Stuart Mills was so culturally influential. I've heard the name but never read anything of his.
Here is the crux of the article that seems to make that case:
"If Mill is identified as the principal figure in this cultural heist, the George Clooney of an intellectual Oceans 11, we are forced to contest his ideas. And despite their popularity, they can be beaten. Freedom is mankind’s most precious gift, but Mill’s focus is on “freedom from” and not “freedom for”. Mill’s “harm” principle is vague and includes only tangible harms. Mill’s notion of freedom is inextricably tied to his obnoxious utilitarianism. And Mill’s libertarianism atomises individuals, creating a society with ever-weaker social bonds."
Here is the crux of the article that seems to make that case:
"If Mill is identified as the principal figure in this cultural heist, the George Clooney of an intellectual Oceans 11, we are forced to contest his ideas. And despite their popularity, they can be beaten. Freedom is mankind’s most precious gift, but Mill’s focus is on “freedom from” and not “freedom for”. Mill’s “harm” principle is vague and includes only tangible harms. Mill’s notion of freedom is inextricably tied to his obnoxious utilitarianism. And Mill’s libertarianism atomises individuals, creating a society with ever-weaker social bonds."
The discussion of the work of John Stuart Mill is at first favorable, several quotations from Mill are given. All of these should resonate on the Gulch as they do with the words of Rand.
Yet later, Mill is associated with 'Our Cultural Decay". That criticism, indeed condemnation, follows a quote of Mill's putting down Christianity, then no actual quotes are given. Aha!
A side note, there is an article in Intellectual-Takeout giving a list of books to develop leadership in a child. The first one is by a Marxist terrorist now revered by the political/progressivist classes, Rand does not appear in the top 50, but of those in the top 50 many are religious.
Conservatives will find much in Intellectual-Takeout to their taste.
Olduglycarl says "I wasn't aware that John Stuart Mills was so culturally influential." Unfortunately Mill is not but should be, his thinking is not identical to, but points to Rand.
Free college?...you learn what We want to teach you...or...Freedom...as long as you apply Maximum Responsibility.
And before all that is individual responsibility and self-reliance. Why are people who can’t even be responsible for themselves trying to direct how the world should live?
Towns and cities then states and federal, for protection only.
When some distant government takes over, human nature is to relax local community obligations, standards and assistance. All of these things used to be provided by churches. Since the rise of welfare in the 1960s, churches have largely abdicated these roles, so the cultural decline of society isn't a mystery.
But the freedom to be what ever you will, no matter the harm to yourself, to others or the culture; Mob Rule and the right to the most abdominal perversions is what Plato discussed in his observations of how democracies would crash.
Mankind is a Looong way from peaceful existence without at least a minimal social contract.
I am also reminded that Plato identified the fall of Democracies via being Too democratic or what we call: Mob Rule and be what ever you will
(but not the best that one can be) [my add]