Public Intellectuals

Public Intellectuals
Author: Richard A. Posner
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Total Pages: 465
Release: 2009-07-01
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 0674042271


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In this timely book, the first comprehensive study of the modern American public intellectual--that individual who speaks to the public on issues of political or ideological moment--Richard Posner charts the decline of a venerable institution that included worthies from Socrates to John Dewey. With the rapid growth of the media in recent years, highly visible forums for discussion have multiplied, while greater academic specialization has yielded a growing number of narrowly trained scholars. Posner tracks these two trends to their inevitable intersection: a proliferation of modern academics commenting on topics outside their ken. The resulting scene--one of off-the-cuff pronouncements, erroneous predictions, and ignorant policy proposals--compares poorly with the performance of earlier public intellectuals, largely nonacademics whose erudition and breadth of knowledge were well suited to public discourse. Leveling a balanced attack on liberal and conservative pundits alike, Posner describes the styles and genres, constraints and incentives, of the activity of public intellectuals. He identifies a market for this activity--one with recognizable patterns and conventions but an absence of quality controls. And he offers modest proposals for improving the performance of this market--and the quality of public discussion in America today. This paperback edition contains a new preface and and a new epilogue.


Public Intellectuals
Language: en
Pages: 465
Authors: Richard A. Posner
Categories: Political Science
Type: BOOK - Published: 2009-07-01 - Publisher: Harvard University Press

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In this timely book, the first comprehensive study of the modern American public intellectual--that individual who speaks to the public on issues of political o
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This book demonstrates how authors performing the role of a public intellectual discuss ideas and opinions regarding society while using literary strategies and
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Public Intellectuals: An Endangered Species? investigates the definition, role, and decline of public intellectuals in American society. Drawing from a wide ran
Public Intellectuals and Their Discontents
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Authors: Yadullah Shahibzadeh
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Type: BOOK - Published: 2020-09-30 - Publisher: Springer Nature

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This book addresses the ways in which the figure of the intellectuals and their relationship to the public has been theorized through the conceptualizations of
Public Intellectuals in South Africa
Language: en
Pages: 246
Authors: Chris Broodryk
Categories: History
Type: BOOK - Published: 2021-07-01 - Publisher: Wits University Press

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This edited collection gives voice to neglected public intellectuals in the arts, humanities, and journalism in South Africa who gave voice and presence to thos