A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political StrugglesBasic Books, 2007 M06 5 - 352 pages Thomas Sowell’s “extraordinary” explication of the competing visions of human nature lie at the heart of our political conflicts (New York Times) Controversies in politics arise from many sources, but the conflicts that endure for generations or centuries show a remarkably consistent pattern. In this classic work, Thomas Sowell analyzes this pattern. He describes the two competing visions that shape our debates about the nature of reason, justice, equality, and power: the "constrained" vision, which sees human nature as unchanging and selfish, and the "unconstrained" vision, in which human nature is malleable and perfectible. A Conflict of Visions offers a convincing case that ethical and policy disputes circle around the disparity between both outlooks. |
From inside the book
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Page xiii
... political , economic , religious , or social . In these or other realms , we sacrifice for our visions and sometimes , if need be , face ruin rather than betray them . Where visions conflict irreconcilably , whole societies.
... political , economic , religious , or social . In these or other realms , we sacrifice for our visions and sometimes , if need be , face ruin rather than betray them . Where visions conflict irreconcilably , whole societies.
Page xiv
... whole societies may be torn apart . Conflicts of interests dominate the short run , but conflicts of visions dominate history . We will do almost anything for our visions , except think about them . The purpose of this book is to think ...
... whole societies may be torn apart . Conflicts of interests dominate the short run , but conflicts of visions dominate history . We will do almost anything for our visions , except think about them . The purpose of this book is to think ...
Page 5
... whole . This is nowhere more necessary than in social visions and social theory , dealing with the complex and often subconscious interactions of millions of human beings . No matter what vision we build on , it will never account for ...
... whole . This is nowhere more necessary than in social visions and social theory , dealing with the complex and often subconscious interactions of millions of human beings . No matter what vision we build on , it will never account for ...
Page 17
... whole idea of “ turning prejudices and vices to good account rather than trying to dispel or repress them . " Such " mistakes " Condorcet traced to his adversaries ' vision of human nature— their confusing “ the natural man " and his ...
... whole idea of “ turning prejudices and vices to good account rather than trying to dispel or repress them . " Such " mistakes " Condorcet traced to his adversaries ' vision of human nature— their confusing “ the natural man " and his ...
Page 18
... whole species . ” 28 Efforts must be made to “ wake the sleeping virtues of mankind . " 29 Rewarding existing behavior patterns was seen as antithetical to this goal . Here , too , Condorcet reached similar conclusions . The 18 A ...
... whole species . ” 28 Efforts must be made to “ wake the sleeping virtues of mankind . " 29 Rewarding existing behavior patterns was seen as antithetical to this goal . Here , too , Condorcet reached similar conclusions . The 18 A ...
Contents
3 | |
9 | |
Visions of Knowledge and Reason 36 | 36 |
Visions of Social Processes 69 | 69 |
Varieties and Dynamics of Visions 102 | 102 |
APPLICATIONS | 131 |
Visions of Equality 133 | 133 |
Other editions - View all
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles Thomas Sowell Limited preview - 2002 |
A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggles Thomas Sowell Limited preview - 2007 |
Common terms and phrases
According to Godwin According to Hayek Adam Smith Alexander Hamilton Antoine-Nicolas de Condorcet articulated rationality assumptions benefits Bernard Shaw capabilities causation centuries Chicago Press conceived concept Concerning Political Justice conclusions conflict of visions constrained and unconstrained crime economic Edmund Burke Enquiry Concerning Political equality evidence evolved example existing F. A. Hayek Federalist Papers freedom Historical Picture Hobbes human nature Ibid incentives individual inequality inherent intellectual and moral interests issues John Kenneth Galbraith Legislation and Liberty limitations locus of discretion logic Malthus man’s masses means Milton Friedman Moral Sentiments Myrdal P. T. Bauer particular principles property rights Reflections regarded Revolution in France role Ronald Dworkin rules seen simply social justice social processes social results social visions society specific surrogate decision-makers systemic processes Theory of Moral Third World Thomas Sowell trade-off tradition Tribe unconstrained vision University of Chicago value premises vision of human William Godwin York