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University Daily Kansan
Friday, Feb. 21, 1964
Self-Determination 'Mythical'
The "so-called" right of national self-determination is a myth, Errol E. Harris, professor of philosophy, said last night.
said last night.
"The nature of war with nuclear weapons would be such that civilization could not survive it—this problem can be solved only by the modification or abolition in some way of national sovereign independence." Prof. Harris said.
What has to be changed, he explained, is national sovereignty in
its relation to national independence and self-determination.
PROF. HARRIS MADE the comments in his 15th lecture on the "Philosophy of War and Peace" in Dvce Auditorium.
If there is to be any sense made cut of the doctrine of national self-determination, Prof. Harris said, the nation must be identified. "But none of the criteria that have been offered as the hall-marks of nationhood
Newspaper Humorists Explain Their Talents
In their own words, Bill Sanders may be an editorial cartoonist who can't spell, and Bill Vaughan, a paragrapheer who can't draw, but they can communicate in their respective fields.
The caustic, yet humorous style, of both Kansas City Star staff members was communicated at a duet "reading" last night sponsored by Theta Sigma Phi and Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalistic societies.
With a dash of the dashing adolescence of journalism, Vaughan introduced Sanders and the fields of editorial cartoons and paragraphing much as though he were writing it for his Starbeams column.
"ALTHOUGH NEITHER of us are haunted by promotion, we differ in one basic 'shorthand' respect; an editorial cartoonist spreads few ideas over a large area while a paragrapher spreads many ideas in a smaller area."
"In both areas it is predicted that only a few moth-eaten species wil survive."
With Vaughan's wit attesting to the rebirth, or continuation of satirical comment, Sanders took over the sketch pad.
First came a simple stick figure, believed by Sanders to be the first American cartoon and labeled, "teachur."
A few more smooth-flowing, sweeping motions of his right hand and the symbols of the Democratic donkey and the Republican elephant appeared easily recognizable with an LBJ Stetson and anike shaggy brow and open grin.
There following in quick succession a Santa Claus, an illustration of a "Thinker" Uncle Sam Panama cariacature, an exploded cigar clutched in Johnson's teeth "Panama," and a composite of a dollar sign, an atom symbol and a V-for-victory.
A rapid rip of the sketch sheet and then Sanders' own symbol of a narrow head, wide jaw and contained explosion expression.
"This is a doctor whose patient has just asked him what he thinks about medicare," Sanders explained.
The addition of guitars and Beatle hair-cuts to a cartoon drawing on the spot of Calder M. Pickett, professor of journalism, and John De Mott, assistant professor of journalism, brought laughter and applause.
The question and answer period which followed produced frank analyses of the field, and advice for future journalists.
Vaughan stressed that ideas came from lowering a bucket into the well of the subconscious. Reading, observing and experiencing dredge up ideas in a useful form.
Sanders said many of his ideas come from trying to figure out what people are thinking or talking about, or trying to draw ideas which they should be aware of, but usually are not.
"I started out drawing pictures on restroom walls." Sanders said. "They were so good, I got expelled."
proves at all satisfactory," he explained.
These "hall-marks" have been classified as objective criteria, historical criteria, and subjective criteria, he said.
"Any population which satisfies these criteria is said to be a nation. But there is almost certainly no considerable population group which does," he asserted.
Therefore, there is a mixing of cultures, he explained.
PARK PLAZA SOUTH
IN DISCUSSING THE matter of a common culture, Prof. Harris said that even our own culture "owes many of its most significant features to borrowing from without." For example, our traditions have been derived from Greek and Hebrew civilizations and from "the mixed influences of Egypt, Persia and the Ancient civilizations of the East."
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National identity does not depend on common social and political institutions. "There are many marked social and political differences between the constituent states of the United States which do not prevent them from forming a single sovereign state," Prof. Harris said.
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