Ideas Have Consequences | 
|  | | |
 This book is also available, brand-new, from 3rd-party marketplace sellers at Amazon.com, from $10.75. |
The HTML code below can be pasted onto your web-site, your MySpace page, or blog - or any number of similar places - to create a link to this page: If, instead of a text link, you'd like to create a link to this page which will display the book cover, if it's available, then the code below will do exactly that:
Check for the same book at these other US book sites:
• [ Abebooks ] • [ Alibris ] • [ Barnes & Noble ] • [ Half.com ] • [ Powells ] … or check UK bookstores
| Editorial Review / Publisher's Information:
Product Description
In what has become a classic work, Richard M. Weaver unsparingly diagnoses the ills of our age and offers a realistic remedy. He asserts that the world is intelligible, and that man is free. The catastrophes of our age are the product not of necessity but of unintelligent choice. A cure, he submits, is possible. It lies in the right use of man's reason, in the renewed acceptance of an absolute reality, and in the recognition that ideas—like actions—have consequences.
| Other Items You May Enjoy:
Browse Books From These Related Subjects:
Customer Reviews:
• A-ok 25 March, 2008
ORDERED A NEW COPY OF A BOOK I ALREADY OWNED AND HAD READ (OFTEN. WORTH SPENDING THE TIME, READING THIS WORK.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1ES9XPA4CLLBG
• A Mix Up On Difinitions 05 November, 2006
Weaver's book, one of the foundations of the Conservative movement in the US, could have had a better title. After reading it, I thought a better title might be
Ideas have Implications, Actions have Consequences.
As to a foundation of Convservatism, it is easy to see, after reading this book, that Conservatism is rather shalow. AS followers of Edmund Bourke, they take the English, royalty and nobility position versus the French, Voltaire position of turning the government over to citizens.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A1T1UHFWP7YQZE
• Weaver Pick's-off Modern Assumptions. 25 January, 2008
Thesis: The Thesis of Richard M. Weaver's `Ideas Have Consequences' is that the decline of modern man can be traced to his denial of universals. Weaver attempts to demonstrate that the denial of everything transcending experience leaves modern man ignorant in his quest for `true knowledge'. (Page 4)
Summary: For Weaver, modern man has emphasized sentiment to the deterioration of the metaphysical dream. Without a discriminating conception of what `should be', man has no basis for specific ideas or beliefs in any matter.
Thus destroying distinctions in society and submerging the masses into a formless unit lacking structure. This unit of individuals is submersed in activities championing equality of condition, rather than ideals to be obtained.
This fragmented focus leaves man with no eye for the whole. In this situation man makes judgments that have encompassing effects without reference to the external frame of obligation. This self-absorption subordinates end to self, with focus on enjoyment over betterment.
Weaver's antidote is dualistic, and recovers the relationship between the materialistic and transcendental. Weaver argues that the last metaphysical right of man lies in private property or mans expression of being.
Argument: The deterioration of universals brings obsession with details. This focus on unrelated details renders man blinded to the future effects of decisions made in the `now'. Weaver argues that modern man wrongly directs life on what is `useful', not by transcendental realities. By dissolving forms, man is left with no reference, to be centered in self-absorption.
This is the effect of the separation of knowledge from metaphysics. The social forces, or the `great stereopticon', projects a superficial life focused on sensations that submerges the masses turning whole populations into mute recipients who believe that the goal of life is happiness through comfort. This worship of comfort seeks to cushion the actual, and not seek the betterment of man by encouraging the achievement of an ideal.
Critical Analysis: Weaver illustrates modern mans decent by pointing out the self-absorbed tendencies of materialism, which is fed from an ego-centric mentality, and how this situation sets the modern world towards a state of social anarchy. Weaver is correct to point out that without universal truths there can be no moral certitude, without the ability to know truth there can be no intellectual integrity. The surrender to irrationality in areas of knowing and communication this knowledge makes the accent away from deterioration a pricey restoration. Weaver rightly argues that man needs to accept the substance of nature and of history, where all paradoxes will not be dissolved. This humility will dissolve some of modern mans piety, and bring man back to the road where, according to Weaver, the true quest for knowledge can begin. Weaver reasonably argues that if man denies everything transcending experience, he is left in ignorance
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2PBZLNHOKD7TI
• Prophetic In The Age Of "eminent Domain" 11 April, 2008
Thesis
The philosophical loss of absolutes/universals ultimately results in the loss of truth, the undermining of knowledge itself, and the increase of societal chaos.
Summary
The modern world stands upon the precipice of chaos and anarchy, according to Richard Weaver. The journey to this brink of destruction began in the 14th Century with Occam's rejection of universals and advancement of nominalism. (Intro) Since that time, the practical effects of this errant philosophy gradually eroded the philosophical underpinnings of logic and epistemology. This erosion resulted in society's loss of civil order and moral certainty. (Ch. 1-3) Without transcendent truth and moral certainty, media and the arts glorify self-indulgence and ego, thus reinforcing a spoiled-child mindset. (Ch. 4-6) The right to private property constitutes the last available battlefield upon which Weaver urges his readers to fight nominalism. In defending this metaphysical right, he hopes to rebuild the clarity of language and an ultimate sense of piety and justice. (Ch. 7-9) Only in this way might we step back from the brutish fate awaiting the practitioners of nominalism.
Argument
Worldview determines practical beliefs, at least within a given framework. The nominalist worldview, with its lack of transcendent truth, uses utilitarianism and pragmatism to ground truth and morality. Utilitarianism and pragmatism frequently lead to undermining societal structure on account of its inefficiency. The resulting chaos leads to competing values, allowing the most egomaniacal people to determine the cultural climate. The media then quickly becomes a tool for the powerful, with little discretion as to its use. The end result of this chain comes in a society of spoiled children. There remains one area where society recognizes a transcendent right, however: the right to private property. Properly defended, this right may provide the means to combat the nominalist worldview.
Critical Analysis
Weaver develops a cogent, though not entirely infallible argument. The argument's initial weakness lies in its sudden beginning with Occam's nominalism. Weaver assumes this beginning of society's degradation. As he deftly demonstrates in the remainder of his argument, however, no philosophy emerges in a vacuum. With that said, Weaver's inductive argument requires a starting point, and nominalism provides perhaps the most convenient one. Additionally, Weaver's assessment of the arts, as exemplified by jazz and classical music, seems motivated more by preference than by evaluation. His rapid dismissal of jazz as formless demonstrates his lack of familiarity with jazz. Additionally, modern composers still produce "higher" forms of music comparable to the classical composers. Other than these oversights, however, Weaver demonstrates effectively, through historical development, that when Man severs the ties between metaphysical reality and the material world, the foundation for knowledge itself quickly crumbles. Without transcendental truths there remains no basis upon which to build an orderly society, maintain moral standards, or distinguish between competing pragmatic perspectives. Weaver is correct in his conclusion that the existence of transcendental truth must be maintained if Man desires to have any ground for achieving order and understanding in a world of chaos and ignorance.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A3TTJU3NYBVI4G
• Thought Provoking 03 January, 2009
This book is an interesting examination of a handful of social ideas.
Weaver examines the role of a transcendent order, the nature of heirarchy, the reduction of education to mere framentation and obsession, ego within the sphere of art, the unwise use of the power of the media, and behavior comparable to that of a spoiled child.
He defends the "metaphysical right" to own property, and encourages pristine speech.
I especially agreed with him on the subjects of education (Fragmentation and Obsession), the problems of the media (the Great Steriopticon), and the need for private property (the Last Metaphysical Right).
I agreed with most other things, with the only real exception being his views on music. Music, especially jazz, is not, in my mind, the evil he makes it out to be.
I felt that this book was insightful and thought provoking, and while one or two chapters did not strike my fancy, I thorougly enjoyed it.
There is nothing outstanding about the prose, but it is easy to read and follow. I recommend it.
- Reviewed by customer ID: A2XF9FRO6OWZCH
|
