| Have you ever wondered why knowing what | | | | our behavior? |
| someone thinks about abortion gives you a pretty | | | | Sowell believes that most of the tumult in our |
| good idea what he thinks about police procedure? | | | | present society comes from the confrontation |
| Does it really make sense that someone's views | | | | between those who answer "Yes!" to those |
| on the military seem connected to his ideas on | | | | questions and those who answer "No!". He also |
| drug policy? | | | | believes that much of the confusion and anger |
| What does gun control have to do with | | | | that fuels our public debates can be traced back |
| affirmative action? | | | | to these different visions--and to what follows |
| In A Conflict of Visions, Thomas Sowell offers his | | | | from them. In this book he examines both visions, |
| answer to these questions. And that answer goes | | | | and how they color the thought of those who |
| deep. | | | | hold them. To name just two examples: |
| Sowell's solution to these dichotomies (and | | | | - Two completely different ways of looking at |
| others--I'm sure you've thought of a few) is to | | | | justice. And what happens when two people have |
| look at the "visions" each of us has of the "how | | | | such different definitions of the word--but don't |
| the world works." These "visions" are necessary | | | | know it. |
| simplifications-- | | | | - Does the end justify the means? It depends on |
| Visions are like maps that guide us through a | | | | what you think is possible. And this will be the |
| tangle of bewildering complexities...The | | | | yardstick by which you judge your neighbors' |
| ever-changing kaleidoscope of raw reality would | | | | actions. And he yours. |
| defeat the human mind by its complexity, except | | | | This book is less than 275 pages long, including |
| for the mind's ability to abstract, to pick out parts | | | | endnotes and index. The first time I read it, I |
| and think of them as the whole. | | | | thought it was more like 600. Thomas Sowell |
| --but this makes it all the more important to | | | | writes the clearest, densest prose I have ever |
| examine the assumptions behind them. A Conflict | | | | encountered. I'm warning you, it's heavy going. But |
| of Visions examines two competing visions that | | | | it's worth it. |
| shape much of our social, ethical, and political | | | | You will have no trouble working out which side of |
| thought in the modern age. | | | | this "conflict" he's on. But even if you don't agree |
| - Can we solve the problems that confront our | | | | with him, you'll find the book enlightening. He'll bring |
| society? | | | | your own vision out and show it to you in high |
| - Can humanity's nature be changed, so that men | | | | relief. And he'll help you to understand those who |
| and women no longer (for example) want to kill | | | | disagree with you. And maybe the next argument |
| each other, or to enrich themselves at their | | | | you get into won't end up with each of you |
| neighbors' expense? | | | | thinking the other is a monster. That in itself |
| - Do we have the potential to become naturally | | | | would make the reading worthwhile. |
| virtuous, with no need for artificial restraints on | | | | |
