Do yourself a favor today, and put aside a few minutes to read Edward Feser's brilliant article on the reasons behind the left's death grip (I use the term advisedly) on America's campuses. It is the first of two parts, and I cannot wait for his second installment.

I admit that Professor Feser and I seem to have been thinking along similar lines for years, and that he has beaten me to publication. More power to him! His survey of sociology and political economy of the phenomenon is concise and cogent. But his hints as to Part II's theological/spiritual explanations are what have gotten my blood running.

At the risk of looking foolish, I predict that if he parallels my thinking, Professor Feser will demonstrate tomorrow that a peculiar theology took hold of Western intellectuals beginning in the early part of the Twentieth Century. Premised on the denial of God, of the concept of sin, and of a fixed conception of human nature, it posited a nation that pleasure—seeking was our highest calling, and that denial of pleasure was ultimately toxic. A kind of hedonic utilitarianism, mixing Mill with Freud, and dollop of Marx, to counteract the more distasteful implications of social Darwinism. The Ulitmate futility of all of this leads directly

to self—hared and, finally, an obsession with death.

I am content to let Professor Feser make his own arguments, though. I will read and learn from them. You should, too.

Posted by Thomas   02 13 04