My favorite non-fiction writer retired this week. Thomas Sowell, one of the most respected economists and most prolific writers in the country published his final column this week. Sowell, 86, has been a leading voice for logic for decades, and he routinely offers more wisdom in 750 words than most authors provide in entire books. I try to borrow from him as much as I can, whenever I can. For example, he advises anyone faced with an argument to ask three simple questions: "Compared to what?", "At what cost?", and "What evidence do you have?" About today's state of education, he has written, "The problem isn't that Johnny can't read. The problem isn't even that Johnny can't think. The problem is that Johnny doesn't know what thinking is; he confuses it with feeling." Also, "Too much of what is called education is little more than expensive isolation from reality." And what I post on my office door: "The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings."
But Sowell did something else for me. He literally changed my life, which is often used hyperbolically but rarely honestly. Yet, for me, it's totally true. I was in graduate school, working on my degrees in Literature, when I happened upon his latest book at the time at a Barnes & Noble, Economic Facts and Fallacies. I skimmed a few pages, and purchased it immediately. I read it in two nights.
While reading Sowell's insightful explanations, I not only learned more about the function of the world than I ever had before, I also figured out what my emphasis would be in my literary studies as I prepared to write my dissertation. Sowell introduced my brain to how economics can be related to the field of English. I more clearly realized the real-world application of literature and began my research of economic theory as a foundation for literary criticism. I've been working on connecting those academic disciplines ever since.
If anyone is interested in discovering Sowell's work, his Amazon page goes on for days, but here is my collection on my bookshelf. These are a good place to start:
But Sowell did something else for me. He literally changed my life, which is often used hyperbolically but rarely honestly. Yet, for me, it's totally true. I was in graduate school, working on my degrees in Literature, when I happened upon his latest book at the time at a Barnes & Noble, Economic Facts and Fallacies. I skimmed a few pages, and purchased it immediately. I read it in two nights.
While reading Sowell's insightful explanations, I not only learned more about the function of the world than I ever had before, I also figured out what my emphasis would be in my literary studies as I prepared to write my dissertation. Sowell introduced my brain to how economics can be related to the field of English. I more clearly realized the real-world application of literature and began my research of economic theory as a foundation for literary criticism. I've been working on connecting those academic disciplines ever since.
If anyone is interested in discovering Sowell's work, his Amazon page goes on for days, but here is my collection on my bookshelf. These are a good place to start:
For any young person trying to become a better writer, check here for Sowell's advice. Thank you, Dr. Sowell, for your wisdom. Enjoy retirement, good sir.