Word: solzhenitsyns
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ULTIMATELY, the humanist Westerner must confront Solzhenitsyn with the argument that any "higher" spiritual ideal, with which he would replace legalistic and materialistic concepts, must still be defined, explained, and promoted in the political system by someone working. That person will, by successfully defining, explaining and promoting, inevitably come to a position of power. And whether it is political, economic, or religious, such power easily leads to exploitation...
...Solzhenitsyn seeks the universal Truths that the Westerner believes will result in elitism and autocracy. He thinks in terms of an Eastern synthesis, a "Supreme Complete Entity," whereas the Westerner, more skeptical and analytic, views reality as being based on the individual. The contrast of opinion is hardly a new one, but at Commencement this past June it was played out sharply...
That irreconcilable difference in opinion was surely the big reason why Western ears have a hard time listening to Solzhenitsyn and taking his prophecies seriously...
...Solzhenitsyn, indeed, is a self-styled prophet of doom, and such pessimists are hardly used to warm receptions. But, unlike Biblical prophets, who reputedly spoke to all in their native tongues, this fails to translate very well to the West...
...Gulag Archipelago III, Alexander Solzhenitsyn...