Your reminder of the social milieu in the 50s was helpful in understanding Hutchins' view. Much has changed since that time and, in our present global world, we are better served to acquaint ourselves with the great thinking of all peoples. As you pointed out, Sir McCartney seemed to agree that we would all be better off by engaging with each other in such a dignified manner. As an aside, I found it interesting that Hutchins identified Russia as being "Eastern". I have some familiarity with eastern thought and Russia doesn't seem to be a reflection of that.

@greatbooksbigideas

2 ай бұрын

I find it a little awkward that he lumps Russia in with the East. But the "Eastern Bloc" countries were a thing back in the day, so maybe that's why. In fact, Tolstoy and Dostoyevsky made it into the Britannica set.

I hope to expand into the East but I kind of agree with Hutchins that I at least need a firm grasp and foundation in our culture first before moving East but funny enough my introduction to Great Books was Russian.