Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Self-criticism

Self-criticism is common among sentient creatures -- those with a "self." But can anyone possibly claim that self-criticism is reliable or accurate? Hitler might think he made a mistake to wear the dark blue socks, but would he think building concentration camps or invading Poland a mistake?

What's true of individuals goes bango for societies. You or I might be acutely conscious, at least as capable of self-criticism as Hitler, but it's preposterous for societies to pretend to any but the most primitive (and self-indulgent) awareness.

No comments: