Meeting at the usual place, The Shakespeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, at 7.00pm on April 30, we will be discussing a series of essays found in the book, The Bonfire of the Humanities, by Victor Davis Hanson et. al.
Victor Davis Hanson and his fellow authors argue that modern academia have undermined the foundations of Western civilization, forcing individuals into book clubs and the like (outside of the university) in order to discuss great works of literature and the broader humanities.
Universities, or at least Faculties of the Arts and Humanities, they argue, are no longer great places of learning, but have increasingly become factories of social engineering and indoctrination.
The authors argue that by neglecting the Classics and the objective study of the past in favor of postmodern theories and woke political correctness, scholars have traded eternal wisdom for a trendy temporary relevance. The authors outline a stark choice between civilisation and a type of barbarism, and suggest how the latter can be avoided.
Cheaper hard copies of this book can be found on ebay rather than amazon. It is not readily available from local libraries. Available from our usual friend Anna, or a pdf from me - write to me at dalemills@cantab.net
Note: this book is by Victor Davis Hanson et. al. It is NOT the same as the book with the same title, authored by David Marc.
The format of the meeting is that we talk about the book for about 50 mins. Contrary opinions are welcome and given a lot of space. Then the meetings formally ends and almost everyone stays back to talk more about the book or anything else.
The Shakespeare Hotel is a 10 min walk from Central train station, or almost opposite Surry Hills light rail. Local parking is reasonable.
