Noam Chomsky
Full Name and Common Aliases
Avram Noam Chomsky, commonly known as Noam Chomsky, is a towering figure in the fields of linguistics, philosophy, cognitive science, and political activism. Often referred to as the "father of modern linguistics," Chomsky has also been a prominent critic of political systems and media practices, earning him a reputation as a leading intellectual and activist.
Birth and Death Dates
Noam Chomsky was born on December 7, 1928. As of the latest information available, he is still alive and continues to contribute to academic and public discourse.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, and social critic. He has held various academic positions, most notably at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he spent the majority of his career.
Early Life and Background
Noam Chomsky was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a family of Jewish immigrants. His father, William Chomsky, was a Hebrew scholar and his mother, Elsie Simonofsky Chomsky, was an educator and activist. Growing up in an intellectually stimulating environment, Chomsky developed an early interest in politics and language. By the age of ten, he was writing articles on the rise of fascism in Europe, reflecting his early engagement with political issues.
Chomsky attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied linguistics, mathematics, and philosophy. He completed his doctoral dissertation on transformational grammar, which laid the groundwork for his future contributions to the field of linguistics.
Major Accomplishments
Chomsky's most significant contribution to linguistics is the development of the theory of transformational-generative grammar. This theory revolutionized the study of language by proposing that the ability to generate language is innate to humans and that all languages share a common structural basis. His work challenged the behaviorist view of language acquisition and introduced the concept of a "universal grammar."
In addition to his groundbreaking work in linguistics, Chomsky has been a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy and media practices. His book, "Manufacturing Consent," co-authored with Edward S. Herman, critiques the ways in which media serves the interests of powerful societal elites. This work has had a profound impact on media studies and political discourse.
Notable Works or Actions
Chomsky's bibliography is extensive, with over 100 books and numerous articles to his name. Some of his most notable works include "Syntactic Structures" (1957), which laid the foundation for modern linguistic theory, and "Aspects of the Theory of Syntax" (1965), which further developed his ideas on transformational grammar.
In the realm of political activism, Chomsky's "Hegemony or Survival: America's Quest for Global Dominance" (2003) critiques U.S. foreign policy and its implications for global stability. His consistent advocacy for social justice, human rights, and anti-imperialism has made him a prominent figure in political activism.
Impact and Legacy
Noam Chomsky's impact on linguistics is unparalleled. His theories have reshaped the understanding of language and cognition, influencing a wide range of disciplines, including psychology, anthropology, and computer science. His work has inspired generations of linguists and continues to be a cornerstone of linguistic education.
Beyond academia, Chomsky's political writings and activism have left a lasting legacy. He has been a relentless critic of power structures and has inspired countless individuals to question authority and seek truth. His critiques of media and politics have become essential reading for those interested in understanding the dynamics of power and communication.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Noam Chomsky is widely quoted and remembered for his incisive analysis of language and power. His ability to articulate complex ideas in an accessible manner has made his work influential both within and outside of academia. Chomsky's quotes often reflect his deep commitment to truth, justice, and intellectual rigor, resonating with those who seek to understand and challenge the status quo.
Chomsky's legacy as a scholar and activist ensures that his words continue to inspire and provoke thought. His contributions to linguistics and his critiques of political and media systems have cemented his place as one of the most quoted and respected intellectuals of the modern era.
Quotes by Noam Chomsky
Noam Chomsky's insights on:
If you take an economics or a political science course, you're taught that humans are supposed to be rational wealth accumulators, each acting as an individual to maximize his own wealth in the market.
In the moral calculus of currently prevailing state capitalism, profits and bonuses in the next quarter greatly outweigh concern for the welfare of one's grandchildren, and since these are institutional maladies, they will not be easy to overcome. While much remains uncertain, we can assure ourselves, with fair confidence, that future generations will not forgive us our silence and apathy.
It is quite possible--overwhelmingly probable, one might guess--that we will always learn more about human life and personality from novels than from scientific psychology.
There are all the activist groups on every imaginable topic - solidarity groups, environmental and feminist groups - sectors of these movements do very valuable work.
Democracy, in any rational form, also imposes conditions on majority rule. That's what the Bill of Rights is about, for example.
It's true that many say that they object to the idea of 'human nature,' but it's not clear what that is supposed to mean. Are we different from ants?
On humanitarian intervention in general, I guess my view is not unlike the view that was attributed to Gandhi, accurately or not when he was supposedly asked what he thought about western civilization. He is supposed to have said that he thought it would be a good idea. Similarly, humanitarian intervention would be a good idea, in principle.
Unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.
The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.