I know that some of you who actually listen and meditate were somewhat
puzzled a while back when, following Eric Voegelin, I stressed the sharp
difference between ideology, which is always to be deplored, and philosophy, 

noble pursuit.  There were honest responses (some dishonest ones as well, of
course) characterizing "ideology" as nothing more than the holding of a body
of opinions and therefore harmless.
   Lo and behold, from an unexpected quarter (grin), SOCIOLOGY, I perceive
some vindication!  I ran across this little book in a series called
"Explorations in Interpretative Sociology."  It is by one Lewis S. Feuer who
was at the time of publication, 1975, a Professor of Sociology at the
University of Toronto.  The title is _Ideology and the Ideologists_.
Generally, I always had the impression that Voegelin had little regard for
much of the modern field of sociology, probably due to the fact that his
favorite target for the center of modern ideology was Auguste Comte, usually
acknowledged as the father of sociology and also of positivism.  I looked in
vain for a reference to Voegelin in this little book and thus far have found
none - certainly not in the index.  Yet, at the same time, it is as clear a
statement describing and deploring Ideology as even Voegelin would, I think,
have had to endorse had he ever seen it and it is difficult to think he did
not although that is certainly possible.  
   It's only 220 pages long including the index and I commend it for your
perusal if you are interested in the subject.  Naturally, I'm in general
agreement with the validity of the phenomenon and its opposition to
philosophy.  Voegelin has said that "ideology is rebellion against God and
Man" and Professor Feuer is saying almost the same thing.  
Sincerely, 
                                     Frank
                                                                              
                                                       
--- PPoint 2.05
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