Speaking of Railroads

[Page]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ray Easton" <kraimie at kraimie.net>
To: <pynchon-l at waste.org>
Sent: Tuesday, November 03, 2009 4:12 PM
Subject: Re: Speaking of Railroads


> Page wrote:
>> Ever heard of Karl Marx? More to the point, do  you know anything
>> about Marxist thought?
>
>
> What relevance does Marx have to this discussion?  You seem to be making
> a *moral* point about Buffet's behavior, and Marx would most certainly
> not agree with any such point.  Marx is not a moralist.

I was alluding to Marxian critcism of capitalism. I was not putting my words 
in Marx's mouth. Seems to me that was clear, but apparently not.
>
>
>> And, no, I am not a Marxist,
>
>
> Then why mention Marx as though you were invoking the name of God?

This is utterly ridiculous. I do not mention Marx with reverence, as though 
he were the best social theoretician Western Civilization has produced. I 
am.
>
>
>> though I have read much about his theories in the abstract and in
>> concrete action.

>
>
> Yes, but have you actually read Marx?

Peculiar as it may seem, I have read Marx. In the sixties and early 
seventies, it was necessary for philosopy students to read Marx, and spend 
at least 15 minutes thinking they were Marxists. We also spent time 
convinced we were Benthamite utilitarians, and several months thinking we 
were Kantians. The latter took longer, becuse he is harder to read.
>
>
>> Any intelligent, educated will have flirted with Marxist thought for
>> at least a couple-three days.
>>
>
>
> Now that really is stupid.  And unlike you, I *am* a Marxist, at least
> of the Groucho sort.

What, specifically, is stupid about it? Other than the fact that it was 
mostly, but not entirely, tongue in cheek. But the important point is that I 
left out a noun. "Any intelligent, educated will have flirted with Marxist 
thought for at least a couple-three days." An intelligent, educated what? 
The missing noun deprives the phrase, and therefor the sentence, of meaning. 
"flirted with Marxist thought" is a far cry from claiming everyone was a 
Marxist for a couple-three days.

Page
>
>
>
>
>


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.47/2478 - Release Date: 11/03/09 
07:36:00
-------------- next part --------------

No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
Version: 8.5.424 / Virus Database: 270.14.47/2478 - Release Date: 11/03/09 07:36:00