Rousseau had it backwards. We are NOT born free. We are born in the chains of the random and the reflexive, and are ignorant and unreasonable by simple nature. We must learn to be free, to organize the random and detect the reflexive, to acquire the knowledge of particulars and the powers of reason. The examined life is impossible if we cannot examine, order, classify, define, distinguish, always in minute particulars.
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America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over read more
America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.
The right to be let alone is the underlying principle of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
The right to be let alone is the underlying principle of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.
To the frustrated, freedom from responsibility is more attractive than freedom from restraint. They are eager to barter their independence read more
To the frustrated, freedom from responsibility is more attractive than freedom from restraint. They are eager to barter their independence for relief from the burdens of willing, deciding and being responsible for inevitable failure. They willingly abdicate the directing of their lives to those who want to plan, command and shoulder all responsibility.
...the case for individual freedom rests largely on the recognition of the inevitable and universal ignorance of all of us read more
...the case for individual freedom rests largely on the recognition of the inevitable and universal ignorance of all of us concerning a great many of the factors on which the achievements of our ends and welfare depend.
In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards.
In the first place, God made idiots. That was for practice. Then he made school boards.
I personally call the type of government which can be removed without violence 'democracy,' and the other, 'tyranny.'.
I personally call the type of government which can be removed without violence 'democracy,' and the other, 'tyranny.'.
Ideology has very little to do with "consciousness" -- it is profoundly unconscious.
Ideology has very little to do with "consciousness" -- it is profoundly unconscious.
Discontent does not invariably create a desire for change. Other factors have to be present before discontent turns into disaffection. read more
Discontent does not invariably create a desire for change. Other factors have to be present before discontent turns into disaffection. One of these is a sense of power.
If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from read more
If the United States of America or Britain is having elections, they don't ask for observers from Africa or from Asia. But when we have elections, they want observers.
