| Subject: Re: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow Knows. |
Author:
Dio
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 23:57:19 02/10/07 Sat
In reply to:
Diogenes
's message, "Re: “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow Knows." on 18:46:04 02/10/07 Sat
“Law is like a new fashion, people are bewitched to get into it: it is also like bad weather, most people are glad when they get out of it.”
from Blupete’s Commentaries
AS Above, so below and my comments at the end
Opening Quotes:
"Freethinkers are those who are willing to use their minds without prejudice and without fearing to understand things that clash with their own customs, privileges, or beliefs. This state of mind is not common, but it is essential for right thinking; where it is absent, discussion is apt to become worse than useless." (Leo Tolstoy.)
"`What do you mean by `If you really are a Queen"? What right have you to call yourself so? You can't be a Queen, you know, till you've passed the proper examination. And the sooner we begin it, the better.' `I only said "if"!' poor Alice pleaded in a piteous tone. The two Queens looked at each other, and the Red Queen remarked, with a little shudder, `She SAYS she only said "if" - ' `But she said a great deal more than that!' the White Queen moaned, wringing her hands. `Oh, ever so much more than that!' `So you did, you know,' the Red Queen said to Alice. `Always speak the truth -- think before you speak -- and write it down afterwards.' `I'm sure I didn't mean -- ' Alice was beginning, but the Red Queen interrupted her impatiently. `That's just what I complain of! You SHOULD have meant! What do you suppose is the use of child without any meaning? Even a joke should have some meaning -- and a child's more important than a joke, I hope. You couldn't deny that, even if you tried with both hands.' `I don't deny things with my HANDS,' Alice objected. `Nobody said you did,' said the Red Queen. `I said you couldn't if you tried.' `She's in that state of mind,' said the White Queen, `that she wants to deny SOMETHING -- only she doesn't know what to deny!' `A nasty, vicious temper,' the Red Queen remarked; and then there was an uncomfortable silence for a minute or two." (Lewis Carroll, Through the Looking Glass, Ch. 9.)
[TOC]
Introduction:
We must judge and stand to be judged. It is natural and right that we do so. To judge it incorrectly, when presented with a situation of consequence, or, worse yet, not to judge it at all, will surely lead to an individual's downfall. From the simplest of things in daily living to the most complex of social problems, we are bound to seek and find out the truth; and, once found, to hold onto it and to advance it. In this life sustaining process, we will be obliged to listen to the arguments, and, where necessary, to make them.
But, what is an argument? The OEDII gives a number of definitions: I intend to take up my subject with its third meaning: "A statement or fact advanced for the purpose of influencing the mind; a reason urged in support of a proposition ..." Or, put in the words of a 19th century author: "Anything is an argument which naturally and legitimately produces an effect upon our minds, and tends to make us think one way rather than another." In order to survive - and hopefully survive well - it will be necessary to listen to and to state arguments: to be able, through pure argument, to convince, or to be able to be convinced, is the usual mark of a successful person, no matter their line of work. In life we must learn life sustaining activities: listening to a good argument and making a good argument are two of these activities. Being in a constant state of argumentation (usually with oneself) is entirely normal and entirely necessary to the living process.
The following are a few argumental terms which have come to mind. I have left out terms which might be described as being philosophic, such as: metaphysics, logic, epistemology, ethics, and aesthetics. Things philosophic are dealt with in blupete's Essay on Philosophy.
One of the great sins of our parents, and now our time is how education was captured bt the likes of the Rockefeller foundations, by doing so they were able set an agenda to dumb down all aspects of learning with special attention to thinking skills.
It is that we now believe that what we do with our brains is called thinking when in fact it does and cannot due to the fact that so much was removed from the education system. This not what I am looking for and worth a visit any way:
http://www.goboy.citymax.com/quotesarchive.html
OOPS I stand corrected
In our dreams, people yield themselves with perfect docility to our molding hands. The present eduction conventions of intellectual and character education fade from their minds, and, unhampered by tradition, we work our own good will upon a grateful and responsive folk. We shall not try to make these people, or any of their children, into philosophers, or men of science. We have not to raise up from them authors, educators, poets or men of letters. We shall not search for great artists, painters, musicians nor lawyers, doctors, preachers, politicians, statesmen – of whom we have an ample supply. The task is simple. We will organize children and teach them in a perfect way the things their fathers and mothers are doing in an imperfect way.
– John D. Rockefeller General Education Board (1906)
Now!
Having such evidence presented to us would lend one to believe that the greatest part of what we know we have been told by the General Education Board of nineteen ought six
The folks I argue against, and one must understand how I apply the word argument, are of the curricula laid down by old John D’s hired guns.
How could it be other?
Unless, of course they were of privilege and attended private schools.
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 