Talk:Donald Horne

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I have tried to fix up this article, which is a lift from an ABC report of Horne's death. I have taken out the inane claim that Horne was a 'historian' and 'philosopher' which all the media outlets that I googled parrot. This is rubbish! He began life as a journalist without a degree and ended up a professor of political science based on seminal books and social commentary (the media says "philosopher" to try to sum this up!?). He was a maverick, not a standard academic and I've tried to convey this. It would be good to have dates on his academic career and more concrete information all round. I've left in the inane comment that he was named a living treasure in case someone wants to say by whom and when. As it stands it's either meaningless or misleading.

I have no issue with your edits, despite the apparent bias of your comments here. As for the "inane" comment - see Australian Living Treasures - it was by the National Trust of Australia. Ambi 14:12, 11 September 2005 (UTC)

I don't really see why Horne can't be considered a philosopher or historian. You don't have to have a degree in philosophy and history to be either, nor do you need a job title as "philosopher" or "historian" to qualify. Certainly Horne wrote and spoke widely on both subjects to be considered both a philosopher and historian. --Yu Ninjie 09:24, 12 September 2005 (UTC)

I am critical of the inane commentary on Horne here - not of him. In fact it does him a disservice. I accept your correction on 'living treasure' - but I think it has to be specific. I have no issue with someone not having a completed degree - it should be noted, I think, as a mark of achievement. Horne apparently found it amusing when he collected honorary doctorates. I think the term 'philosopher' is misused when - as here - it is used to bracket 'thinkers' who can't be pigeonholed elsewhere. I think social critic/commentator fits the bill. I'm unaware of any historical works written by Horne. Sure, he might have mentioned history, but so do a lot of people. To class him as one of Australia's historians is misleading. The essential point is that he was a maverick, and the original text in no way captured that. It also gave him a 'scholarly' air, whereas he really was always a journalist/commentator (whether holding academic posts). It would also be good to add the dates of his professorship - I can't find out--Jack Upland 11:49, 16 September 2005 (UTC)