Joe Bloggs

Thinking under a totalitarian regime

Following on from the 'Powerhouse' entry yesterday, here is a thoroughly thought provoking interview with an Iranian intellectual, Abdolkarim Soroush, on the problems of research in the sciences and freedom of thought generally under totalitarian regimes.

In response to the point that "science has done well under totalitarian regimes in China and the former Soviet Union, and even under some fairly unpleasant governments during Islam's 'golden age of science' between the 9th and 13th centuries...", he replies "Let me make a distinction between empirical research and thinking per se. Thinking needs a free environment. Empirical research, where you have a well-defined project with official approval, can indeed flourish even under a totalitarian regime, because scientists can still meet other scientists, read the literature and publish. But it is impossible to advance new theories - particularly in the social sciences - when you are under the influence of a particular view, or under the pressure of a particular dogma.

And I disagree with you about Islam's golden age. Totalitarianism is absolutely a modern phenomenon. In the past, kings were despots but they were not totalitarian. They weren't able to put their hands on science and philosophy. There was no widespread plan to limit scientists, philosophers and other academics. If there were restrictions, they came from religion or fellow philosophers rather than the political system."

Well worth a read.