Quote by Alan Sokal

In this atmosphere of general discouragement, it is tempting to attack something that is sufficiently linked to the powers-that-be so as not to appear very sympathetic, but sufficiently weak to be a more-or-less accessible target (since the concentration of power and money are beyond reach). Science fulfills these conditions, and this partly explains the attacks against it.

In this atmosphere of general discouragement, it is tempting

Summary

The quote suggests that during times of widespread disillusionment, there is a tendency to attack something associated with those in power to avoid appearing overly sympathetic to the establishment, yet still have an accessible target. Science, characterized as both connected to those in authority and perceived as vulnerable, becomes a subject of criticism. This is because science's association with power and wealth seems unattainable for ordinary people. Therefore, the attacks against science are driven partly by this desire to challenge something within reach that symbolizes the established order.

Topics

Science Postmodernism Left

By Alan Sokal

Liked the quote? Share it with your friends.

Random Quotations

There are better ways we can transform this virulent hatred

There are better ways we can transform this virulent hatred - by living our ideals, the Peace Corps, exchange students, teachers, exporting our music, poetry, blue jeans.

Peace

I work until beer o'clock.

I work until beer o'clock.

Work

Maybe that first, gigantic deficit the Reaganites piled up w

Maybe that first, gigantic deficit the Reaganites piled up was an accident, just a combination of deluded 'supply side' tax cuts and a huge bag of good stuff for the Pentagon. But pretty quickly conservatives discovered that deficits, when done correctly, did something really cool: deficits defunded the Left.

Cool

Insincerity is merely a method by which we can multiply our

Insincerity is merely a method by which we can multiply our personalities

Insincerity

the Divine Nature wounds and perhaps destroys us merely by b

the Divine Nature wounds and perhaps destroys us merely by being what it is.

Gods

Adieu! 'tis love's last greeting, The parting hour is come!

Adieu! 'tis love's last greeting, The parting hour is come! And fast thy soul is fleeting To seek its starry home.

Pierre-Jean de BÃ©ranger

Love Home

Neither a wise nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of hi

Neither a wise nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.

Dwight D Eisenhower

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one

Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you!

Birthday Alive Today

I'm a big proponent of young women dressing appropriately in

I'm a big proponent of young women dressing appropriately in the workplace to get ahead. We need to demand respect as women, and part of that involves how we present ourselves.

Respect

I was always interested in French poetry sort of as a sideli

I was always interested in French poetry sort of as a sideline to my own work, I was translating contemporary French poets. That kind of spilled out into translation as a way to earn money, pay for food and put bread on the table.

Poetry

The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the

The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right.

Trouble Rights

And let a scholar all earth's volumes carry, he will be but

And let a scholar all earth's volumes carry, he will be but a walking dictionary: a mere articulate clock.

Scholars Scholarship