Re: The Köhler/Chaves volumes

Hello..
It is quite good that only one of sixteen contributors of the book is 
questioned, and that it refers to my self-description. Once you have the 
opportunity to read the articles, then we will have a nice chance to discuss 
over concrete topics.
In my case, my intention was to present myself as a southamerican with its 
normal and varied influences, and I still believe it is honest to mention 
them. The fact that my subjectivity is influenced by cultures around me 
should not surprise anybody. You may be sure that in each one of you there 
is the presence of that kind of ancestors that became quite important in 
your lives and thoughts.
At this moment I am travelling and this is sent from a coffee-email in a 
hurried way. The idea of the book is to present different analysis from 
different backgrounds and cultural experiences. So please, try to understand 
that the fact that somebody is a mechanical engineer does not make her/him 
an invalid to think, observe and feel about social disciplines. I might 
mention you many cases of important contributions to social sciences coming 
from people formed in other fields.
Finally, there are other good topics in the discussion agenda much better 
than my self-description, and this one may wait until a better and more 
concrete moment.
OK. Felices fiestas. Thanks for your comments.
Emilio

----Original Message Follows----
From: Louis Proyect <lnp3@panix.com>
To: wsn@csf.colorado.edu
Subject: Re: The Köhler/Chaves volumes
Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2000 09:02:46 -0500

 >
 >With all respect, are these _ad hominem_ cracks, of which I believe there
 >have been two in recent days, necessary on this list?
 >--
 >Jeffrey L. Beatty
 >Doctoral Student
 >Department of Political Science
 >The Ohio State University
 >2140 Derby Hall
 >154 North Oval Mall
 >Columbus, Ohio 43210

All kidding aside, I find it utterly pretentious for some academic to
invoke "amazonic/andean/caribean popular wisdom". Many years ago, there was
a character named Carlos Castenada who launched a lucrative career as a New
Age guru by claiming expertise in Yaqui wisdom. It turned out that he was a
fraud. I am speaking as a possible consumer of the book that was
advertised. Frankly speaking, I doubt if I would spend a dime on it after
reading such embarrassing self-regarding nonsense. The emperor has no 
clothes.

Louis Proyect
Marxism mailing list: http://www.marxmail.org


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