Intellectuals assume functional systems must be good, but efficient evil can persist
Evidence
The notion that the progressive forces have been defeated and that fascism can last for ever leaves intellectuals at a loss for ideas. They think that anything which works must have something good about it, and conclude that fascism consequently cannot work. But there are periods in which existing conditions, in the strength and efficiency which they possess, thereby become evil. — Rolf Wiggershaus, The Frankfurt School, 1080
Categorization
- DEEPTHINKING: Condenses the Frankfurt School’s core despair about functionalist reasoning: efficiency itself can constitute evil rather than evidence of worth.
- APHORISMS: A genuine piece of counsel about resisting the tendency to infer moral goodness from functional success.
- XREF: connects to: Intelligence and philosophy have justified extermination as well as equality — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 107; Philosophy and intelligence justify both egalitarian and exterminationist positions; Intellectuals either serve existing power or align with emerging popular forces. — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2: Identity…, 126 (+2 more)
Broader Connections
- Functionalist explanation wrongly assumes social outcomes are necessarily good for society
#corroborates(0.95) — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 996 - Functional explanations can justify harmful behaviors, so functionalism is not inherently good
#expands(0.90) — Russell Hardin, Trust and Trustworthiness, 694 - Intelligence and philosophy have justified extermination as well as equality
#corroborates(0.85) — Frantz Fanon, Constance Farrington, Black skin, white masks, 107 - Philosophy and intelligence justify both egalitarian and exterminationist positions
#corroborates(0.85) - Intellectuals either serve existing power or align with emerging popular forces.
#qualifies(0.75) — Stuart Hall, Essential Essays, Volume 2, 126