File spoon-archives/lyotard.archive/lyotard_2002/lyotard.0212, message 73


Date: Fri, 27 Dec 2002 20:38:52 +0000
From: "steve.devos" <steve.devos-AT-krokodile.co.uk>
Subject: Goodness an example


Eric,

Todorov - who has become one of the most interesting writers on and in 
defense of Humanism in recent years wrote in his book on the history of 
why Bulgaria's Jews survived the holocaust. In which the final meaning 
that Todorov settles on is this: once evil is introduced into public 
view, it spreads easily, whereas goodness is temporary, difficult, rare, 
and fragile. And yet possible Todorov does find heroic figures, 
especially parliament deputy Dimitar Peshev, certain writers and clergy, 
and--most inspiring--public opinion. "Yet he is forced to conclude that 
the "good" triumphed to the extent that it did because of a tenuous 
chain of events. Any break in that chain--one intellectual who didn't 
speak up as forcefully, a different composition in Orthodox Church 
leadership, a misstep by a particular politician, a less wily 
king--would have undone all of the other efforts with disastrous results 
for almost 50,000 people. "

regards
steve


   

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