Wednesday, December 11, 1968
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Letters to the Editor
5
Analysis of 'new left' logic
(Continued from page 4) got a work hang-up. Remember our discussion about there being only two classes of people dullards for work and intellectuals for creativity and leadership?
ME: Yes. So?
AL: I'm beginning to think you're a dullard.
Edward J. Paris
Edward J. Paris Graduate student, History
To the Editor:
The UDK has recently printed several letters from members of the New Left which have one thing in common. An example is given by George Dugger's letter (Dec. 5) which ends: "P.S. Obviously this was written by one of those damn anarchists, SDS'ers, nihilists, communists, socialists, hippies, yippies, pseudo-intellectuals, etc., and henceforth can be disregarded so you can settle back down on the couch with Miss Indifference." Since statements like this are becoming disgustingly frequent, I feel it is time to identify the principle involved.
I call this "The Argument by Retrograde Accusation." It is similar to the argument ad hominem, i.e., it forestalls debate, applies psychological pressure, short-circuits logic, and has nothing to do with the issue. It goes something like this: Person A states a position. Before person B can even analyze A's statement, A continues by adding another statement to the effect that B will probably conclude from A's first statement that A is a moral degenerate, monster, etc., which implies (1) that B is an unjust accuser (2) that B is, in fact, hysterical, and (3) because of this hysteria, B is
incapable of rationally criticizing A's statement.
The New Left has become especially adept at this type of argument. At the end of every collectivist platitude, they add "But you probably think I'm a dirty pinko commie, anyhow, don't you?" The real meaning is: "If you challenge what I say, it proves that you're cast from the same mold as Joe McCarthy, and you'd really like to see the streets run red with out innocent blood, wouldn't you?"
From this (and other examples of the "logic" of the New Left), one must conclude that there is no reason to hunt witches, because from the looks of things the New Left will always remain safely inside the philosophical epistemological jungle which it has so cunningly, tenderly, and bitterly erected itself.
David J. Myers
Graduate Student in Chemistry To the Editor
To the Editor
In response to your editorial, "Hawk in cabinet," in Wed. UDK permit me to suggest that there is a large portion of the electorate, myself included, which would be more at ease with Henry Jackson as Sec. of Defense than we have been since the Cuban missile crisis.
Indeed Nixon has promised change and new direction and I join you in hoping that the end of the Vietnam war will be one outcome, among others, of his efforts. Consistent with this, I think there is a good chance that appointment of Sen. Jackson as defense head would auger a marked and long overdue change in both present Vietnam and general armament policies. If the principal purpose of a Sec. of
Defense is to say "no" to the generals then perhaps we need either a new Sec. or some new generals. The last Sec. has left us in a pretty sorry position by following his dictates. Could an improvement possibly result from following the generals' advice? They are, after all, the experts in the field of conflict.
A consideration of the history of totalitarian regimes in this century indicates that any sort of permanent peace rarely follows a temporary peace hastily enacted by appeasement by a defender. The past deeds, published doctrine, and public statements of North Vietnamese, Chinese and Soviet leaders holds little promise that we can buy peace in our time any more than Chamberlain could. (Of course the situations are considerably different. The principles involved and the behavioral patterns are quite similar.)
Nixon's decision on Jackson does merit watching. It might fulfill the dreams of many Americans for peace, perhaps more permanent than quick.
Ellis V. Couch
Chemistry graduate student
NEW YORK (UPI) — Pan American World Airways has increased services between New York and St. Thomas and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands from three to four flights daily.
The University of Kansas Theatre
presents
MEDIEVAL CHRISTMAS PLAYS
The Annunciation The Offering of The Magi The Second Shepherd's Play