Virtue Promotion Quotes
Spinoza’s ideas were considered so radical and dangerous that he was the only man in history who was excommunicated by the Catholics, the Jews and the Muslims.
This is a very fascinating historical quotation. The postal rates then (and still) for magazines, was less than the real cost to the Post Office and taxpayer. Congress was considering reducing or even eliminating the magazine subsidy. The publishers engaged in what Taft and many others thought were “unscrupulous” methods of advocating for their position. What offended Taft included paying ex-Congressman and others to lobby for their position; printing editorials in their magazines and mailing their political positions at the subsidized rate; donating money to Party Organizations and pet charities of members of Congress; entertaining members of Congress and paying for meals and trips and many others. One hundred years later, these lobbying techniques were commonplace and no longer raised eyebrows.
There are few countries and times where serious complaints were not made about the moral degeneration of the times and the danger to children. This example is from England in the early 20th century.
This historian’s view of the role of the historian, while totally at odds with academic, cultural, and political values with America and most industrial democracies. However, he does represent the proper role of the historian as seen by most theocracies and non-democratic nations. Indeed, there are countries today where this statement would be considered a model for patriotic historians and journalists. Another interesting comparison can be made between Otto and another historian of the era who represented a more democratic academic and journalistic point of view. So the issue has been in conflict for over a thousand years. See Anna Comnena {587993}
