Sidney Hook

American philosopher

Sidney Hookwas an American philosopher of pragmatism known for his contributions to the philosophy of history, the philosophy of education, political theory, and ethics. After embracing communism in his youth, Hook was later known for his criticisms of totalitarianism, both fascism and Marxism-Leninism.

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About the Sidney Hook

Sidney Hookwas an American philosopher of pragmatism known for his contributions to the philosophy of history, the philosophy of education, political theory, and ethics. After embracing communism in his youth, Hook was later known for his criticisms of totalitarianism, both fascism and Marxism-Leninism. A social democrat, Hook sometimes cooperated with conservatives, particularly in opposing Marxism-Leninism. After World War II, he argued that members of such groups as the Communist Party USA and Leninists like democratic centralists could ethically be barred from holding the offices of public trust because they called for the violent overthrow of democratic governments.

11 Quotes by Sidney Hook

  1. 1.

    I was guilty of judging capitalism by its operations and socialism by its hopes and aspirations; capitalism by its works and socialism by its literature.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  2. 2.

    Fear of death has been the greatest ally of tyranny past and present.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  3. 3.

    Before impugning an opponent’s motives, even when they legitimately may be impugned, answer his arguments.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  4. 4.

    Students rarely disappoint teachers who assure them in advance that they are doomed to failure.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  5. 5.

    Tolerance always has limits – it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  6. 6.

    To silence criticism is to silence freedom.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  7. 7.

    Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  8. 8.

    Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  9. 9.

    Those who say that life is worth living at any cost have already written an epitaph of infamy, for there is no cause and no person that they will not betray to stay alive.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  10. 10.

    Wisdom is a kind of knowledge. It is knowledge of the nature, career, and consequences of human values.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher

  11. 11.

    Philosophy, most broadly viewed, is the critical survey of existence from the standpoint of value.

    Sidney Hook

    American philosopher