The Genius of Thomas Sowell Katharine Birbalsingh on Thomas Sowell and Theodore Dalrymple
Ideas Drive Underclass Decline
- Theodore Dalrymple argues the underclass's decline stems from destructive ideas, not just welfare.
- Ideas shape behavior and made the underclass view education and authority as threats.
Smart Students Bullied Into Despair
- Dalrymple recounts a pupil bullied to overdose for being academically engaged.
- He treats many youths beaten for excelling at school.
Education Produces An Eternal Present
- Many underclass youths lack basic literacy, numeracy, and historical awareness despite compulsory schooling.
- This creates an 'eternal present' with no past context or future orientation.
When you study Thomas Sowell, you are inevitably introduced to other intellectuals Sowell cites in his books. These are the thinkers Sowell looks up to and draws inspiration from. One such thinker is the British Psychiatrist Theodore Dalrymple.
In this episode we explore Dalrymple's book "Life At The Bottom" and what it has to teach us about the ideas which perpetuate poverty and other social pathologies in the British underclass and what lessons we can draw for a deeper understanding of the American underclasses.
We interview "Britain's Strictest Headmistress" Katharine Birbalsingh about Sowell and Dalrymple and how these two thinkers have influenced her educational philosophy.
Here are some useful links to deepen your appreciation of the episode:
• Here's a LINK to Ice T's "That's How I'm Livin'"
• Here's a LINK to Theodore Dalrymple's book "Life At The Bottom"
• Link to "We Don't Want No Education" chapter of Dalrymple's book HERE.
• Here's a LINK to the film documentary "Britain's Strictest Headmistress". This is a MUST watch!
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