On September 15, 2011, Noam Chomsky shared remarks on the pitfalls of humanitarian intervention with the Williams College community. A prominent American public intellectual and activist, Chomsky has written and lectured extensively on linguistics, philosophy, intellectual history, international affairs, and foreign policy.
His remarks kicked off the 2011 Williams College Class of '71 Public Affairs Forum, a series of lectures throughout the fall semester that focus on humanitarian concerns, human rights, and different approaches to direct action around the world. For more about the Class of '71 Public Affairs Forum go to http://bit.ly/pi6yIM.
@MenOfLetters John Stuart Mill was a product of his time, lets remember that. He wasn't perfect, but for his time, he did oppose slavery and was for giving equal rights to women. His idea of utilitarianism, greatly expanding on the earlier Bentham, is a very important moral philosophy for today, that is...to do actions that result in the greatest happiness for the greatest amount of people. Unfortunately he bought into the myth of humanist imperialism.
andyx1205 5 months ago
he keeps referring to Gareth Evans as the prime minister
he was the foreign minister
KentAllard 5 months ago
Chomsky's brain can power a whole city. It's interesting to observe that colonialism was justified on humanitarian grounds. A shame to see Mill defend the British empire. I would give my leg to see a debate between Chomsky and Mill.
MenOfLetters 5 months ago
Even on youtube, Chomsky is still relatively obscure :( I'm by no means an intellectual, i'm not highly educated, I don't have degree's and letters next to my name, i am Joe Normal, yet i feel richer in mind for listening to what Noam Chomsky has to say. The most popular video featuring Chomsky on youtube is an interview with spoof comedian Ali G. That says it all :(
People, open your eyes, open your minds and listen to this man!
Paul1979RUFC 5 months ago