Randolph Bourne
Randolph Bourne
================
Full Name and Common Aliases
Randolph Bourne was born on May 30, 1886, in Bloomfield, New Jersey. His full name is Randolph Silliman Bourne.
Birth and Death Dates
Born: May 30, 1886
Died: February 24, 1918
Nationality and Profession(s)
Randolph Bourne was an American essayist, critic, and philosopher. He was known for his progressive views on politics, society, and culture.
Early Life and Background
Bourne grew up in a family of modest means in Bloomfield, New Jersey. His parents were both educators who valued knowledge and critical thinking. From an early age, Bourne showed a keen interest in reading and writing. He attended Columbia University, where he developed his intellectual and literary skills.
During his time at Columbia, Bourne became involved with the university's socialist movement. This experience had a profound impact on his worldview and shaped his commitment to social justice.
Major Accomplishments
Bourne was a prolific writer and critic who made significant contributions to various fields. Some of his notable achievements include:
Influence on Progressivism: Bourne was a leading figure in the progressive movement, advocating for reform and social change.
Critique of Militarism: He wrote extensively on the dangers of militarism and its impact on society.
Advocacy for Civil Liberties: Bourne was a vocal advocate for civil liberties and individual rights.Notable Works or Actions
Some of Bourne's notable works include:
"The State" (1912): In this essay, Bourne critiques the concept of the state and its relationship to individual freedom.
"War and the Intellectuals" (1917): This essay is a powerful critique of militarism and the role of intellectuals in supporting war efforts.Impact and Legacy
Randolph Bourne's work has had a lasting impact on American thought and culture. His writings on progressivism, militarism, and civil liberties continue to inspire new generations of thinkers and activists.
Bourne's legacy can be seen in various areas:
Influence on Progressive Thought: His ideas have shaped the progressive movement and continue to inform contemporary debates on social justice.
* Critique of Militarism: Bourne's critique of militarism has inspired anti-war movements and continues to influence discussions on national security.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Randolph Bourne is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful writings on politics, society, and culture. His commitment to social justice and individual rights makes him a compelling figure in American intellectual history.
Bourne's quotes are often referenced in discussions on progressivism, militarism, and civil liberties. His legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of critical thinking, activism, and advocacy for human rights.
Quotes by Randolph Bourne
Those persons who refuse to act as symbols of society’s folk ways, as counters in the game of society’s ordaining, are outlawed.
A cultivation of the powers of one’s personality is one of the greatest needs of life.
The ironic life is a life keenly alert, keenly sensitive, reacting promptly with feelings of liking or dislike to each bit of experience, letting none of it pass without interpretation and assimilation, a life full and satisfying – indeed a rival of the religious life.
For the secret of friendship is a mutual admiration, and it is the realization or suspicion that that admiration is lessening on one side or the other that swiftly breaks the charm.
If you are not an idealist by the time you are twenty you have no heart, but if you are still an idealist by the time you are thirty, you don’t have a head.
War is the health of the State. It automatically sets in motion throughout society these irresistible forces for uniformity, for passionate cooperation with the government in coercing into obedience the minority groups and individuals which lack the larger herd sense.
In your reaction to an imagined attack on your country or an insult to its government, you draw closer to the herd for protection, you conform in word and deed, and you insist vehemently that everybody else shall think, speak, and act together. And you fix your adoring gaze upon the State, with a truly filial look, as upon the Father of the flock.
Society is one vast conspiracy for carving one into the kind of statue likes, and then placing it in the most convenient niche it has.