Next (February) Meeting (21 Feb 04):  Jim Good, PhD, who teaches history at North Harris will present for discussion a hypothesis: A Source of the American Lust for Power

He will argue that the British liberal tradition (Hobbes through J.S. Mill), which has been exceptionally influential in the U.S., has fueled Americans’ lust for economic and military power by teaching us that human behavior is controlled by the desire to seek pleasure and avoid pain. I will also argue that Hegel offers us a more accurate and fruitful conception of humanity because of his emphasis on our social nature and his claim that all humans have a need for respect.  He will then ask the audience to help me assess the extent to which his interpretation of these philosophers contributes to our understanding of American behavior.