The so-called Enlightenment - part one: the flattening of man

[fpb]

It is typical of the whole spirit of willing self-deception with which the average educated person approaches the so-called Enlightenment, that the most famous quote about it is false. Voltaire never said: "I disagree with your views, but I will fight to the death for your right to hold them", and if he had he would have been a liar. Voltaire was

Comments

[capnflynn]

Oh. Wow. I'd never thought about Adam Smith and his conclusions in that way, but you are absolutely right. Thank you for giving me food for thought!

[fpb]

I'm not "absolutely" right. Bear in mind that I attacked Smith on two specific points. It does not mean that he is not otherwise a major figure and an important theorist. There has also been a spirited response from wemyss, which I recommend you read. With any luck, the debate is only just begun.

[capnflynn]

^^ I shall happily read wemyss's response ... but I can't find it. :(

[capnflynn]

Apparently because I didn't look hard enough. *is embarrassed*

[shezan]

Very nice, and now I am off to look for wemyss's answer.

Have you by any chance read Trollope's wonderful short story, Why Frau Frohmann Raised Her Prices? To the best of my knowledge, it's the only piece of literature on inflation, but it also illustrates much of what you say here.