Honorius: “These sacred truths are self-evident. The proper study of apes is apes. But certain young cynics have chosen to study man — yes, perverted scientists who advance an insidious theory called ‘evolution.’”
Pretty fascinating. In Michael Wilson’s final draft of Planet of the Apes—already drafted four times by Rod Serling—he incorporates both “sacred” and “self-evident.” Their law and understanding as beings was reverential. Wilson was blacklisted in Hollywood during the McCarthy persecutions. He brought us Lawrence of Arabia and It’s A Wonderful Life along with 1968’s planet of the Apes co-written with Serling. He was experiencing such accusations of his beliefs, and allegiance as a citizen and a human being in his personal life. No wonder the fantastic ape civilization touched a nerve and struck a chord in his writing. As did it to Serling as paratrooper in WWII and its atrocities relating to creed and race. 😬
Like you wrote this is a really smart way to ground an argument However there is a rhetorical side to this as in saying something is self evident makes anyone who questions that assertion sound like a bit of a "thicky"
Nicholas, for sure. I remember my colleague Dan Dennett warning people about the use of words like “surely,” “obviously,” etc.. But Dan was an analytical philosopher, who at some level believed that the truth and a good argument is all one needs. In this I think the rhetoricians know better: you also need to persuade…
Great read. Been reading Franklin's biography extensively and have nearly completed it. The amount of philosophical insights packed into it is amazing, so it's nice to see parts of that highlighted here!
Such awesome, so important AND so new (for me) scholarship and teaching about our Founding Fathers and about the origins of our Constitution!
Glad you appreciated it!
Honorius: “These sacred truths are self-evident. The proper study of apes is apes. But certain young cynics have chosen to study man — yes, perverted scientists who advance an insidious theory called ‘evolution.’”
Not very subtle, but well deserved by the culture of the time! And the current one…
Pretty fascinating. In Michael Wilson’s final draft of Planet of the Apes—already drafted four times by Rod Serling—he incorporates both “sacred” and “self-evident.” Their law and understanding as beings was reverential. Wilson was blacklisted in Hollywood during the McCarthy persecutions. He brought us Lawrence of Arabia and It’s A Wonderful Life along with 1968’s planet of the Apes co-written with Serling. He was experiencing such accusations of his beliefs, and allegiance as a citizen and a human being in his personal life. No wonder the fantastic ape civilization touched a nerve and struck a chord in his writing. As did it to Serling as paratrooper in WWII and its atrocities relating to creed and race. 😬
Interesting background to one of the most iconic sci-fi movies ever!
Like you wrote this is a really smart way to ground an argument However there is a rhetorical side to this as in saying something is self evident makes anyone who questions that assertion sound like a bit of a "thicky"
Nicholas, for sure. I remember my colleague Dan Dennett warning people about the use of words like “surely,” “obviously,” etc.. But Dan was an analytical philosopher, who at some level believed that the truth and a good argument is all one needs. In this I think the rhetoricians know better: you also need to persuade…
You'd think--or at least I would--that this connection was self-evident. But I never knew about or thought about it before. Thanks!
It was a surprise for me as well, but one worth noting!
Great read. Been reading Franklin's biography extensively and have nearly completed it. The amount of philosophical insights packed into it is amazing, so it's nice to see parts of that highlighted here!
Great reading indeed!