OK, I get that Bloom blames German historicism for vanquishing universal values, first at university, then in American culture at large. But is not his fixation on the GERMAN character of this historicism an illustration of the very principle at which he is directing his venom? It is surely true that nineteenth century Germans reflected more critically than most on the interplay between social action and categories of interpretation and experience. It is also true that this reflection did not cast capitalism in a very positive light. It is surely doubtful whether many Americans thought about these connections with the care they deserve. (It is clear that Mr. Bloom did not give them the attention they deserve.) Yet, Mr. Bloom’s argument is no more than one elegant ad hominem and adds absolutely nothing to our understanding of the real issues at stake. It is incoherent.