Serene Self-Confidence

“Marcuse firmly believed that this process was capable of ‘objective’ and ‘rational’ determination. There was no danger, in their view, that the differential assignment of rights would backfire, since they were wholly confident that any rational being, once freed from the dominant group’s indoctrination, would agree with their own values” (The Shadow University, p. 75).

Just Don’t Pray At Them

“The debacle of the golden calf notwithstanding, the bronze laver for ceremonial cleansing was to be supported by twelve metal bulls (1 Kings 7:25). Not only were representations of nature prominent in the Tabernacle and Temple, but representations of supernatural beings, the cherubim, were everywhere—carved on the furnishing, woven into the veil of the Holy …

Historically Temporary, Aye

“Censorship, during this ‘reversal,’ was essential, because ubiquitous, dangerous, and regressive notions were too quickly translated into practice. Indeed, censorship, for Marcuse, must be deeply pervasive, although historically temporary. The result, he promised, would be to restore real freedom, and the words ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’ once again could attain their ‘true meaning'” (The Shadow University, …