A short, CRITICAL History of Philosophy (Chapter 36)

What Should We Think of Noam Chomsky?

Noam Chomsky is a bit like Socrates.

I do not mean this as a compliment. Rather I am referring to the fact that, like Socrates, he has an affection for totalitarianism.

Let us further investigate the comparison. In the positive sense, Chomsky is like Socrates in that he is not mercenary or hedonistic. Those who know him have high regard for his integrity. His writings were not composed as part of an elaborate con by which he has sought to find young lovers or to gain riches. Nor is he seeking elective office or political power for himself. He is also akin to Socrates in that he has expended vast effort to attract the interest and attention of impressionable young people. And he can seem logical, reasonable and even moderate at times. In his much talked-about debate with Michel Foucault, Chomsky repeatedly served as the voice of reason even as Foucault consistently staked out the most extreme and unbalanced points of view.

Professor Chomsky: He knows better.