Skip to main content

Thoughts XXV - Quotes



From Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1834) we note both the left (e.g. Marx) and right have used his philosophy in their own interests. Here are two paraphrased quotes and applicable today.

---Freedom under law is a constructive force.  Freedom from law is impossible in nature and destructive in society. 

---Morality must be a common bond, not an individual preference.

An amusing anecdote about Hegel, famous for his opacity, is this. When asked what a particularly difficult paragraph in one of his books actually meant, Hegel responded, "When I wrote it, only God and I understood its meaning.  Now only God does."
------------
Another quote but not from Hegel: The embers of enlightenment may glow for centuries before catching fire.
-------------
Speaking of philosophy, I could give a course on Immanuel Kant***, a philosopher difficult to understand.  I could, in my lectures, give 50 of his philosophical issues with appropriate responses. I could tell my students that ten of these issues in the form of questions would be on the exam and to give the response.  Most students would get them correct.  Almost none would understand what they submitted.  Such is the exam format of modern college courses and modern political debates; they differentiate only those who prepare.
-------------
How to eliminate terrorism?  Just declare it doesn't exist, and if that fails, ignore it.  This is a common technique, used particularly by failing institutions.  For example, United States school children have for years performed poorly on the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) test, the internationally accepted measure of academic performance in math, science, and reading****. In math the US came in 36th, in science 28th and in reading 24th. Not good. Even with much testing and the Common Core Curriculum, which were supposed to improve student performance, student performance still decreased.  In fact, in the past year (Scholastic Aptitude Test) SAT scores dropped again*. Back to the PISA, it is not surprising to hear from the educationalists on this. They say, "Ignore PISA entirely**."  Basically, it is irrelevant to the already great US educational system. In the stroke of a pen, a problem is solved. We will see the education community climb on board quickly.  

Is this something like a country not doing well at the Olympics unilaterally declaring these contests are irrelevant to our already excellent sports programs?

----------------------------
*http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/high_school_and_beyond/2016/09/SAT_results_2016.html
**https://www.tes.com/news/school-news/breaking-news/ignore-pisa-entirely-argues-top-academic
*** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immanuel_Kant
**** http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26249042
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Please Comment.

Popular posts from this blog

UNCERTAINTY IS CERTAIN

  Uncertainty is Certain G. Donald Allen 12/12/2024 1.       Introduction . This short essay is about uncertainty in people from both secular and nonsecular viewpoints. One point that will emerge is that randomly based uncertainty can be a driver for religious structure. Many groups facing uncertainty about their future are deeply religious or rely on faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and guidance. The intersection of uncertainty and religiosity often stems from the human need to find meaning, hope, and stability in the face of unpredictable or challenging circumstances. We first take up the connections of uncertainty to religion for the first real profession, farming, noting that hunting has many similar uncertainties. Below are groups that commonly lean on religious beliefs amidst uncertainty.   This short essay is a follow-up to a previous piece on certainty (https://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2024/12/certainty-is-also-emotion.html). U...
Post a Comment
Read more

CERTAINTY IS ALSO AN EMOTION

  Certainty is also a Feeling Certainty is often viewed as a mental state tied to knowledge and confidence, but it also functions as a feeling with distinct emotional and physiological components. While it arises from cognitive processes, certainty also has a subjective and emotional quality that makes it more than just a rational judgment. It provides a sense of assurance and security that shapes human experience in profound ways. Emotional Dimension . At its core, certainty evokes emotions that influence how we perceive and interact with the world. When someone feels certain, they often experience relief, comfort, or empowerment. These emotions are particularly strong when uncertainty or doubt is resolved, offering a sense of closure. For example, solving a complex problem or having a belief validated by evidence brings not just intellectual satisfaction but also emotional reassurance. Subjectivity. Certainty is inherently personal and subjective. It depends on individual...
Post a Comment
Read more

Lies, Deceit, and the National Agenda

The world you grew up in is no more.  The world of reasonable honesty and reasonable lies has been replaced by abject dishonesty and blatant lies. Lies.  Yes. People have always told them.  You have told them; so have I.   We need lies; they are a foundational structure of social living.  They both deceive and protect.  Children tell them to their parents to avoid consequences, like punishment.  Adults tell them to their bosses, to enhance their position and/or avoid consequences of poor performance.  Our bosses tell them to their boards to suggest business is good, the project is on target, or the detractors are wrong.  The boards tell them to shareholders to protect their own credibility and most importantly, stock values.   Our politicians tell lies to their constituents, though sometimes innocently with them not actually knowing much more than they've been told.  They enhance their positio...
2 comments
Read more