Intellectuals and Society

By: Thomas Sowell

Narrated by: Tom Weiner

Length: 11 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

This is a study of how intellectuals as a class affect modern societies by shaping the climate of opinion in which official policies develop, on issues ranging from economics to law to war and peace.

The thesis of Intellectuals and Society is that the influence of intellectuals is not only greater than in previous eras but also takes a very different form from that envisioned by those like Machiavelli and others who have wanted to directly influence rulers. It has not been by shaping the opinions or directing the actions of the holders of power that modern intellectuals have most influenced the course of events, but by shaping public opinion in ways that affect the actions of power holders in democratic societies, whether or not those power holders accept the general vision or the particular policies favored by intellectuals. Even government leaders with disdain or contempt for intellectuals have had to bend to the climate of opinion shaped by those intellectuals.

Intellectuals and Society not only examines the track record of intellectuals in the things they have advocated but also analyzes the incentives and constraints under which their views and visions have emerged. One of the most surprising aspects of this study is how often intellectuals have been proved not only wrong, but grossly and disastrously wrong in their prescriptions for the ills of society-- and how little their views have changed in response to empirical evidence of the disasters entailed by those views.

©2009 Thomas Sowell (P)2009 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

This should be a must read for every high school student.

Excellent, clear explanation of the reality, role, and impact of intellectuals in our society, past and present. Thomas Sowell eloquently explains what so many of us see and realize but struggle to articulate, and includes data and facts to support his observations. Everyone should read this book so they can understand what is happening around them, and to encourage us all to think critically about the narrative that’s perpetuated today via media, social media, and schools.

smart author

very smart author who understands what goes on in the world

Wow!

I never could have guessed the extent of modern America's brainwashing by intellectuals! Sowell has included a vast body of evidence to substantiate his claims, and I intend to buy a hard copy for reference.

My favorite Thomas Sowell book

I love Thomas Sowell. So far this is my favorite book if his. the narrator was so really good.

Great book. Wisdom and insightful truths portrayed

This was a great book. Sowell is brilliant!
Truth hurts when weirded against those whose only claim to fame, and whose sense of right and wrong are derived exclusively from like minded peer review and agreement.
This book exposes the truth behind the arguments of the established intelligencia and its often fatal downfall of not being able to stand up to real world testing, or auditable results based outcome analysis.

Sowell quite correctly points out that left wing Intellectuals purport that victimhood is an acceptable even required context through which the poor, racial minorities along with ender and sexual orientation based arguments find moral justification. Particularly in the case of the impoverished. Theorys, and arguments which don't hold up under further scrutiny, but whose justification comes from the very process of like minded peer confirmation that gave rise to the ideas in the first place. Talk about "overfitting" on a societal scale!

Sowell's points are clear and we'll articulated. The book is well written if just a tiny bit long winded...

I hope he writes another on the same subjects delving deeper into the counterfactual nature of intellectuals(in this context) arguments.

I'd really like to see reasoning and outcomes win out over our long history of good moral intent and disastrous results brought upon our world from the minds of those who may mean well, but whose opinions don't stand up to scientific and outcome based testing.

The Mistake of Intellectuals

Thomas Sowell is an American treasure. He does an excellent job of explaining the error of intellectuals who think since they are experts in one field, that they should be allowed to set policy for all.

Must Reading for Political Office & Media Types

Facts trump emotional and intellectual wishes, but only if allowed into the conversation or debate. Wonderful analysis to defuse and shed light on a segment of society that thinks it can and must impose it's view of society and the world without giving credence to an opposing point of view, done even in areas where they have no expertise. They do this by virtue of their intellect in a particular field of endeavor thinking it carries over to to other topics to opine on. And with no accountability or consequence for being wrong or causing harm to society thru unintended consequences.

Good Book by a Great Economist!

Good Book by a Great Economist! It spells out a lot of the nonsense that people pull off and that others believe.

Wisdom!

This is the third book I've read by Thomas Sowell and this one is my favorite. He explains how our society got where it is today. Thomas Sowell has such wisdom. His writings should be taught in schools everywhere!

Eye opening!

loved it from the opening paragraph. A remarkable read which provides insightful and provocative thoughts, ideas and most importantly... Facts