Thomas Sowell ( 10 of 95 )
The growing complexity of science, technology, and organization does not imply either a growing knowledge or a growing need for read more
The growing complexity of science, technology, and organization does not imply either a growing knowledge or a growing need for knowledge in the general population. On the contrary, the increasingly complex processes tend to lead to increasingly simple and easily understood products. The genius of mass production is precisely in its making more products more accessible, both economically and intellectually to more people.
American prosperity and American free enterprise are both highly unusual in the world, and we should not overlook the possibility read more
American prosperity and American free enterprise are both highly unusual in the world, and we should not overlook the possibility that the two are connected.
To include freedom in the very definition of democracy is to define a process not by its actual characteristics as read more
To include freedom in the very definition of democracy is to define a process not by its actual characteristics as a process but by its hoped for results. This is not only intellectually invalid, it is, in practical terms, blinding oneself in advance to some of the unwanted consequences of the process.
The principles applied in economic processes are general social principles.
The principles applied in economic processes are general social principles.
"What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic read more
"What freedom does a starving man have?" The answer is that starvation is a tragic human condition- perhaps more tragic than loss of freedom. That does not prevent these from being two different things.
It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions read more
It is hard to imagine a more stupid or more dangerous way of making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people who pay no price for being wrong.
What is more frightening than any particular policy or ideology is the widespread habit of disregarding facts.
What is more frightening than any particular policy or ideology is the widespread habit of disregarding facts.
There are few things more dishonorable than misleading the young.
There are few things more dishonorable than misleading the young.
Morality, like other inputs into the social process, follows the law of diminishing returns- meaning ultimately, negative returns. People can read more
Morality, like other inputs into the social process, follows the law of diminishing returns- meaning ultimately, negative returns. People can be too moral.
Social values in general are incrementally variable: neither safety, diversity, rational articulation, nor morality is categorically a "good thing" to read more
Social values in general are incrementally variable: neither safety, diversity, rational articulation, nor morality is categorically a "good thing" to have more of, without limits. All are subject to diminishing returns, and ultimately negative returns.
