In 1987 the American philosopher Allan David Bloom published his controversial book "The Closing of the American Mind," in which he critiziced contemporary trends in American academia as well as in the popular culture. The author was particularly critical of concepts like historicism and moral and cultural relativism. The book was largely perceived to be a conservative tract, although Bloom himself rejected the label 'conservative'. While liberal commentators were skecptical of Bloom's theses, conservative intellectuals by and large praised the book. The conflict laid bare here was—and is—a battle between political forces for cultural sovereignty, especially in the universities, the commanding heights of American intellectual life. This conflict was well captured in Camille Paglia's famous description of "The Closing of the American Mind" as the ''first shot in the culture wars''.
The purpose of this paper is to inquire into the American Right's reception and reconstruction of "The Closing of the American Mind" and to determine the initial impact and lasting influence the book had on American conservative thought. In order to provide a comprehensive analysis, eminent conservative publications as well as the writings of notable conservative intellectuals will be examined. Different responses from different factions of the conservative coalition shall be differentiated and taken into account, as will the changing perception of Bloom's ideas over time. Therefore this paper is divided into different sections, one of which will cover the time immediately after the publication of The Closing and another the time between the initial response and the present. These two parts are complemented by another two sections which will examine the history of American conservatism from 1945 up to the respective points in time and thereby provide the necessary context.
Table of Contents
- I. American Conservatism from the End of the Second World War to 1987
- II. The American Right's Reception of The Closing of the American Mind upon Publication
- III. American Conservatism from 1987 until Today
- IV. The American Right's Reception of The Closing of the American Mind until Today
- V. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This work explores the reception and reconstruction of Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind" within the context of American conservatism. The primary goal is to examine how conservative thinkers engaged with Bloom's critiques of higher education and American culture, and how their responses shaped the trajectory of conservative thought.
- The evolution of American conservatism
- The impact of "The Closing of the American Mind" on conservative intellectual circles
- The role of higher education in shaping American society
- The influence of cultural and moral relativism on American thought
- The relationship between conservatism and intellectual and cultural elites
Chapter Summaries
- Chapter I: Provides a historical overview of American conservatism from the end of World War II to 1987, highlighting key figures and intellectual currents that influenced Bloom's work.
- Chapter II: Examines the immediate reception of "The Closing of the American Mind" by conservative intellectuals and institutions upon its publication in 1987.
- Chapter III: Discusses the development of American conservatism from 1987 to the present day, considering how the ideas and debates surrounding Bloom's book contributed to its trajectory.
- Chapter IV: Analyzes the continuing reception of "The Closing of the American Mind" within the American Right from 1987 until today, exploring how conservative thinkers have engaged with Bloom's arguments and legacy.
Keywords
The key terms and concepts explored in this work include: American conservatism, Allan Bloom, "The Closing of the American Mind," higher education, cultural relativism, moral relativism, intellectual elites, conservative intellectuals, neoconservatism, and the influence of Western philosophy on American thought.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Allan Bloom's main criticism in his 1987 book?
Bloom criticized the "closing" of the American mind caused by moral and cultural relativism in academia, which he believed led to a lack of intellectual depth and the abandonment of the "Great Books."
Why did conservatives praise Bloom's work?
Conservative intellectuals largely saw the book as a powerful defense of Western civilization and a necessary attack on the liberal dominance of universities.
Did Allan Bloom consider himself a conservative?
No, Bloom himself rejected the label 'conservative,' though his work became a cornerstone of conservative intellectual thought and the "culture wars."
What is the "culture war" mentioned in the abstract?
It refers to the ongoing conflict between political forces for cultural sovereignty, particularly in education and intellectual life, where Bloom's book was considered the "first shot."
How has the perception of Bloom's ideas changed over time?
The paper analyzes how different conservative factions (like neoconservatives) have reconstructed and utilized Bloom's arguments from 1987 to the present day.
- Quote paper
- Moritz Mücke (Author), 2014, Sharpening the Conservative Mind. The American Right's Reception and Reconstruction of Allan Bloom's "The Closing of the American Mind", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/273737
