Where Have All the Liberals Gone?

ISBN-13: 9780521494311 / Angielski / Twarda / 2008 / 352 str.

James R. Flynn

Opis

Ever since the publication of Race, IQ, and Jensen (1980), Professor James R. Flynn has been the most respected critic of the notion that the IQ gap between black and white Americans is genetic in origin. This new book is a must for those who want to be up to date with that debate. He also offers an alternative to the vision of American society popularized by The Bell Curve. His overriding purpose is to rearm American idealism with new ideas. Where have all the Liberals Gone? addresses all those who want "something better than a foreign policy that provokes disgust, a domestic politics with neither the vision nor the resources to promote the common good, and a foolish relativism that reduces all ideals to the lowest common denominator." Professor Flynn analyzes the black marriage market, the case for affirmative action, the folly of Iraq, and the liberal failure of will. He traces the history of American idealism from Jefferson to the followers of Leo Strauss. The book ends with a powerful defense of humane ideals and human autonomy. Social scientists, philosophers, and the general public will find this book exciting, unique and the style clear and attractive.

Recenzje

'… Flynn combines political and moral philosophy with social psychology to argue passionately against the idea that we should rank races and classes. … he constructs a compelling case that any racial differences in IQ are caused by environment, not genetics … Flynn dissects, with scholarly precision, the four problems blighting US society. … His critique is sharp and convincing … Flynn's arguments are intimately bound up not just with empirical investigation but with passionate philosophical arguments …' Tribune

Spis treści

Prologue; Part I. St. Thomas Jefferson: 1. Something beautiful is vanished; Part II. Blacks and the Pursuit of Happiness: 2. The lost boys; 3. What Germany did that America has not; 4. Do we want affirmative action for whites only?; Part III. Yours for a Better World: 5. Saving equality from the dustbin of history; 6. Jefferson and Social Democracy; 7. The America who would be king; Part IV. A History of Moral Confusion: 8. William James and Leo Strauss; 9. The status of the good life; 10. Choosing to be free; Epilogue; Appendix: Tables.