WILL ON RATIONALITY
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James Joyner | Thursday, February 6, 2003 |
In his WaPo column today, George Will says of those still opposed to war with Iraq after Powell’s UN presentation: “People determined to believe that a vast conspiracy assassinated President Kennedy believe that the absence of evidence of the conspiracy proves the vastness and cleverness of the conspiracy.” Indeed. Of course, ironically, his argument cuts both ways. Presumably the French and others would say that about those of us who support the war absent a “smoking gun.” Although, at this point, I’m not sure what that would be. But, ultimately, Will is correct: “People committed to a particular conclusion will get to it and will stay there. So the facts that Powell deployed, and the pattern they form, will not persuade people determined to be unpersuaded. But Powell’s presentation, its power enhanced by his avoidance of histrionics, will change all minds open to evidence.”
About the Author: James Joyner is the publisher of Outside the Beltway and the managing editor of the Atlantic Council. He's a former Army officer, Desert Storm vet, and college professor with a PhD in political science from The University of Alabama. He lives just outside the Beltway in Alexandria, Virginia.
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