Noam Chomsky

Date of Birth: December 7, 1928

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Noam Chomsky, born Avram Noam Chomsky, is a world-renowned linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, historian, social critic, and political activist. Widely known as the “father of modern linguistics,” Chomsky’s work has had a profound impact on various fields, including cognitive science, philosophy of language, and intellectual history. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Chomsky developed an interest in anarchism and radical politics at an early age, influenced by his upbringing in a Jewish immigrant family. Chomsky earned his Ph.D. in linguistics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1955, where he developed transformational grammar, a theory that revolutionized the study of language. He joined the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1955 and remained there for his entire career, becoming an Institute Professor Emeritus. Beyond his academic contributions, Chomsky is a vocal critic of U.S. foreign policy, neoliberalism, and corporate power. His political writing, including the influential book “Manufacturing Consent,” co-authored with Edward S. Herman, critiques media complicity in propaganda. He has authored over 100 books and continues to be an influential voice in both academic and public spheres.

5 Interesting Facts about Noam Chomsky

1. Noam Chomsky is considered one of the most cited scholars in modern history.

2. He wrote his first article on the rise of fascism in Europe at the age of 10.

3. Chomsky has been arrested multiple times for his anti-war activism.

4. His book “Syntactic Structures” (1957) is credited with transforming the study of language.

5. Chomsky continues to be an active lecturer and writer well into his 90s.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Noam Chomsky

1. “The smart way to keep people passive and obedient is to strictly limit the spectrum of acceptable opinion, but allow very lively debate within that spectrum.”

2. “If we don’t believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don’t believe in it at all.”

3. “The general population doesn’t know what’s happening, and it doesn’t even know that it doesn’t know.”

4. “Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”

5. “Education is a system of imposed ignorance.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At his peak, Noam Chomsky’s net worth is estimated to have reached approximately $5 million.

Children

Noam Chomsky has three children: Aviva, Diane, and Harry Chomsky. Aviva is a historian and professor, Diane is an artist, and Harry is a programmer and data scientist.