Hi Cherryl, (and Karl, Tom, David et al)
I think that "process of finding better values" is part of several
current threads.
Bringing the "totalitarian" threat into this is double edged. Karl
rammed the reminder down my throat several times - I get it already
;-) - I really do Karl.
The word "wisdom" in your quote above is being used in the pejorative
"received wisdom" or "prevailing wisdom" of authority sense.
I'm pretty certain no-one here is thinking of wisdom as that kind of
thing. (I see wisdom as an "inclusive learning process" - The
challenge, the proposing of counter-intutive / risky alternatives is
fundamental to that.)
I'm sure we already agree
Social authority has it's valid uses.
Deciding what is wise is not one of them.
Ian
On 3/8/07, Cherryl Martin <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
> To All,
>
>
>
> Further to Roger's point about Galileo and his challenge to the authorities
> in his day:
>
>
>
> That sums up the issue which Galileo had -- he was challenging Church
> Authority.
>
> The Authority of his day was insisting in believing the Geo-centric theory.
>
> Galileo was challenging that Authority-- undermining it with the
> Heliocentric theory.
>
> He was insulting that Authority. No wonder he was sent before the
> Inquistion and threaten with torture if he did not shut up.
>
> That was Blatant Censorship of Speech.
>
> Today that Censorship is far more Insidious.
>
> The Big issue of Galileo's day was-- Heliocentricism versus Geocentricism.
>
> Today the Big issue is those who believe in UFO -type stuff (New Ageism
> etc) versus those who don't.
>
> How does Society respond--- well it wants to criticise the Fringe ideas as
> being Foolish, but does not want Fringe followers criticising supposed
> mainstream beliefs, because then its insulted.
>
> Its all Double Standards.
>
>
>
> Whoever sets themselves up as an Authority insists the Right to insult
> whoever they like and not get insulted back in return.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> This is the same point I made when asking Nick the question I think is most
> pertinent to all of these discussions:
>
>
>
> 'Who determines what is of value?'
>
>
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> It seems we have an answer.
>
>
>
> A more recent example of this sort of censorship and its results is Nazism.
> Those who questioned the 'wisdom' of the authorities and who didn't fit the
> prescribed 'model' of superior 'wisdom' were burnt in the ovens at Auschwitz
> and other death camps by their millions.
>
>
>
> I am attempting to make a serious point – not to score a point – since this
> issue is at the heart of what wisdom is and should determine what it is we
> do to foster its development in society
>
>
>
> Cherryl
>
>
> ________________________________
>
>
> From: Group concerned that academia should seek and promote wisdom
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
> Roger Anderton
> Sent: 08 March 2007 10:32 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: On the general issue of Fools Part II
>
>
>
>
> In the Book "Newton for Beginners" there was a bit on Galileo-- it made me
> laugh-- it had Galileo flying around in a Superman costume -- saying
> something like I am a Genius, anyone who does not believe me is an idiot.
> Below him were priests.
>
>
>
>
>
> That sums up the issue which Galileo had -- he was challenging Church
> Authority.
>
>
>
>
>
> The Authority of his day was insisting in believing the Geo-centric theory.
>
>
>
>
>
> Galileo was challenging that Authority-- undermining it with the
> Heliocentric theory.
>
>
>
>
>
> He was insulting that Authority. No wonder he was sent before the Inquistion
> and threaten with torture if he did not shut up.
>
>
>
>
>
> That was Blatant Censorship of Speech.
>
>
>
>
>
> Today that Censorship is far more Insidious.
>
>
>
>
>
> The Big issue of Galileo's day was-- Heliocentricism versus Geocentricism.
>
>
>
>
>
> Today the Big issue is those who believe in UFO -type stuff (New Ageism etc)
> versus those who don't.
>
>
>
>
>
> How does Society respond--- well it wants to criticise the Fringe ideas as
> being Foolish, but does not want Fringe followers criticising supposed
> mainstream beliefs, because then its insulted.
>
>
>
>
>
> Its all Double Standards.
>
>
>
>
>
> Whoever sets themselves up as an Authority insists the Right to insult
> whoever they like and not get insulted back in return.
>
>
>
>
>
> Roger
>
>
>
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