Customer Reviews

Enemies of the Permanent Things: Observations of Abnormality in Literature and Politics

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Russell Kirk's strength is in observing and reporting on historical trends in nations and cultures. His perception of spiritual matters is dangerously superficial. He needs to literally stick with politics. Of course, I know it's too late now as he's no longer "in this life."

Kirk considers himself a Christian, but he lumps Christian writers, thinkers, and Hebrew prophets with pre-Christian Greeks. This is a major error. In writing about "the permanent things" he is drawing upon the work of T. S. Eliot and describing principles that transcend cultures. Jesus Himself taught that He is THE WAY, not one of myriad options.

Kirk's political insight is instructive, however. He describes how closely linked liberalism and Marxism are. They both start with the same assumptions. Similarly, he does a commendable job on the fallacy of researchers who place too much emphasis on quantifying results. One of the strongest arguments he makes is that a society which assumes everyone is equal is unjust because it's based on a false premise. People vary in talents, abilities and motivations. When an individual is robbed of making the most of his contributions not only is he hurt, but so is the culture which is denied his gift (s).