“Loth as one is to agree with CP Snow about almost anything, there are two cultures; and this is rather a problem. (Looking at who pass for public men in these days, one suspects there are now three cultures, in fact, as the professional politician appears to possess neither humane learning nor scientific training. They couldn’t possibly commit the manifold and manifest sins against logic that are their stock in trade, were they possessed of either quality.) … Bereft of a liberal education – ‘liberal’ in the true sense: befitting free men and training men to freedom – our Ever So Eminent Scientists nowadays are most of ’em simply technicians. Very skilled ones, commonly, yet technicians nonetheless. And technicians do get things wrong sometimes: a point that need hardly be laboured in the centenary year of the loss of RMS Titanic. Worse far is what the century of totalitarianism just past makes evident: technicians are fatefully and fatally easily led to totalitarian mindsets and totalitarian collaboration. … Aristotle was only the first of many to observe that men do not become dictators to keep warm: that there is a level at which power, influence, is interchangeable with money. Have enough of the one and you don’t want the other; indeed, you will find that you have the other. And of course, in a world of Eminent Scientists who are mere Technicians at heart, pig-ignorant of liberal (in the Classical sense) ideas, ideals, and even instincts, there is exerted upon them a forceful temptation towards totalitarianism – for the good of the rest of us, poor benighted, unwashed laymen as we are. The fact is that, just as original sin, as GKC noted, is the one Christian doctrine that can be confirmed as true by looking at any newspaper, the shading of one’s conclusions to fit one’s pay-packet, grants, politics, and peer pressure is precisely what anyone familiar with public choice economics should expect. And, as [James] Delingpole exhaustively demonstrates, is precisely what has occurred in the ‘Green’ movement and its scientific – or scientistic – auxiliary. They are watermelons: Green without and Red within. (A similar point was made of the SA by Willi Münzenberg, who referred to that shower as beefsteaks, Red within and Brown without.)”
Quote Analysis
In this passage by G.M.W. Wemyss, the author discusses the existence of different "cultures" within society, specifically focusing on the divide between liberal education and scientific training. Wemyss highlights the dangers of technicians, who lack a true liberal education, being easily led towards totalitarian mindsets. Drawing parallels to history, Wemyss warns of the consequences of individuals prioritizing power and influence over foundational principles. Ultimately, the passage serves as a cautionary tale about the potential pitfalls of individuals compromising their values for personal gain.
Modern Relevance
In this passage, G.M.W. Wemyss explores the dangers of technicians lacking a liberal education and the potential for totalitarian mindsets to emerge in scientific fields. He highlights the ways in which power and influence can corrupt, leading individuals to compromise their ideals for personal gain. This discussion offers insight into the ongoing debate surrounding the intersection of politics, science, and ethical decision-making in contemporary society.
Example of Usage
In this passage, the author G.M.W. Wemyss discusses the problematic division between the "two cultures" as identified by CP Snow, suggesting that in modern times there are now even more distinct cultures at play. The author delves into the role of technicians, particularly within the scientific community, and the potential for totalitarian mindsets to emerge. Wemyss also touches on the influence of power and money, as well as the temptation towards totalitarianism among individuals lacking a liberal education. The passage emphasizes the importance of understanding the intersection between politics, economics, and scientific ideologies.
Reflection Questions:
In this excerpt, Wemyss explores the intersection of science, education, politics, and totalitarianism. Consider the following questions:
- How do you interpret Wemyss' critique of scientists as mere technicians and the potential consequences of this lack of liberal education?
- Do you agree with Wemyss' assertion that a lack of liberal education can lead to totalitarian mindsets and collaboration? Why or why not?
- Reflect on the idea that power and influence can be interchangeable with money. How do you see this dynamic playing out in society today?
- How does Wemyss connect public choice economics to the shaping of scientific conclusions and agendas?
- What are your thoughts on the comparison of the 'Green' movement to watermelons and the SA to beefsteaks? Do you see evidence of this phenomenon in contemporary movements or organizations?
Consider these questions to delve deeper into the themes of education, power, and ideology present in Wemyss' writing.
Similar quotes
“had been equally obvious. The new aristocracy was made up for the most part of bureaucrats, scientists, technicians, trade-union organisers, publicity experts, sociologists, teachers, journalists and professional politicians. These people, whose origins”
“They were so ignorant! Young men and women, educated very carefully to be apolitical, to be technicians who thought they disliked politics, making them putty in the hands of their rulers, just like always. It was appalling how stupid they were, really, and he could not help lashing into them.”
“There are obviously two educations. One should teach us how to make a living and the other how to live. Surely these should never be confused in the mind of any man who has the slightest inkling of what culture is. For most of us it is essential that we should make a living...In the complications of modern life and with our increased accumulation of knowledge, it doubtless helps greatly to compress some years of experience into far fewer years by studying for a particular trade or profession in an institution; but that fact should not blind us to another—namely, that in so doing we are learning a trade or a profession, but are not getting a liberal education as human beings.”
“A monkey is always a monkey," says the proverb, "even if he has birth-tokens of gold." Although you have a book in your hand and read all the time, you do not understand a single thing that you read, but you are like the donkey that listens to the lyre and wags his ears.If possessing books made their owner learned, they would indeed be a possession of great price, and only rich men like you would have them, since you could buy them at auction, as it were, outbidding us poor men. In that case, however, who could rival the dealers and booksellers for learning, who possess and sell so many books ? But if you care to look into the matter, you will see that they are not much superior to you in that point; they are barbarous of speech and obtuse in mind like you—just what one would expect people to be who have no conception of what is good and bad. Yet you have only two or three books which they themselves have sold you, while they handle books night and day.”
“A scientist in his laboratory is not a mere technician: he is also a child confronting natural phenomena that impress him as though they were fairy tales. ”