THE AMERICAN INTELLIGENTSIA
485
iron discipline so as not to betray heat or vindictiveness in argument.
Hence he leads a double life. Outwardly his manner conforms to the
liberal's standards of decorum and sanity, but he gives himself away
when discussing matters not politically relevant; on such occasions
his smugness or inquisitorial attitude makes plain what he wishes to
conceal. You can tell
him
by the look of pained patience with which
he listens to those liberals who criticize the Soviet fatherland or its
doctrines and by his tendency to make use of such epithets as "social
democrat" and "fascist" on any and all occasions.
Each of the groups we have considered affects the larger Amer–
ican social pattern and is in turn affected by it. Thus the impact of
the contemporary crisis which has forced America into a position of
world responsibility for the first time, is likely to alter considerably
the role of each of these groups, both as intellectuals and as citizens.
Further, the ever-growing politicalization of intellectual life makes
more and more difficult a disinterested theoretical approach. The
value systems by which the intellectual operates professionally may
come into conflict with the values to which he adheres in his per–
sonal and social life.
If
he is to reconcile these conflicting claims, he
must at least be conscious of what his extra-intellectual values are.
The will to believe usually leads only to elaborate rationalizations.
