Spring Break
Public discourse, modern life
Robert Sanchez
Issue date: 8/13/08 Section: Forum
It is through cooperative public debate and discourse that these roles and their accompanying institutional structures most quickly and accurately evolve to meet emerging conditions.
Author Glen Tinder, emeritus professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Boston, explains the need for public discourse and its effects on learning and thinking critically.
We must have, Tinder suggests, "an irrepressible capacity for reconsideration, for asking again the questions" that may seem already answered.
Understanding is a process rather than a destination that can be arrived at with certainty.
An acceptance of the possibility of being proved wrong, a desire to have the errors in one's reasoning and factual knowledge exposed: These are the tools of a self-perfecting mind.
To admit uncertainty, to exist - as Tinder puts it, in "the nakedness of [one's] own thoughts and doubts" - is a wonderful place to be. And this is the only place where learning can be maximized, the place where clear recognition of our thoughts and the inherent uncertainty of our conclusions lead to a mind expanded to its utmost capacity. It is from this place that genuine and honest debate can occur. Such a debate shuns sophistry and the agenda-driven exploitation of ideological stances so common in modern politics.
As discussed by Aristotle, the duty of the good citizen is to engage actively in political life, and to follow the civic virtues of temperance, justice, courage and prudence. This definition of the good citizen holds true today. Growing corporate influence on the political process, evidenced by the increasing power of political action committees, and the erosion of the middle class have tipped the balance of power in favor of the wealthy, making the need for an informed and active citizenry increasingly relevant.
Like the ancient Greeks, the degree to which we can engage effectively in public discourse is limited by our education and our access to information. Increasing Internet availability and other modern technologies is making reliable information more and more accessible to the average citizen.
Author Glen Tinder, emeritus professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts Boston, explains the need for public discourse and its effects on learning and thinking critically.
We must have, Tinder suggests, "an irrepressible capacity for reconsideration, for asking again the questions" that may seem already answered.
Understanding is a process rather than a destination that can be arrived at with certainty.
An acceptance of the possibility of being proved wrong, a desire to have the errors in one's reasoning and factual knowledge exposed: These are the tools of a self-perfecting mind.
To admit uncertainty, to exist - as Tinder puts it, in "the nakedness of [one's] own thoughts and doubts" - is a wonderful place to be. And this is the only place where learning can be maximized, the place where clear recognition of our thoughts and the inherent uncertainty of our conclusions lead to a mind expanded to its utmost capacity. It is from this place that genuine and honest debate can occur. Such a debate shuns sophistry and the agenda-driven exploitation of ideological stances so common in modern politics.
As discussed by Aristotle, the duty of the good citizen is to engage actively in political life, and to follow the civic virtues of temperance, justice, courage and prudence. This definition of the good citizen holds true today. Growing corporate influence on the political process, evidenced by the increasing power of political action committees, and the erosion of the middle class have tipped the balance of power in favor of the wealthy, making the need for an informed and active citizenry increasingly relevant.
Like the ancient Greeks, the degree to which we can engage effectively in public discourse is limited by our education and our access to information. Increasing Internet availability and other modern technologies is making reliable information more and more accessible to the average citizen.
Note: writers will not reply to comments.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
jackkatewinslet
jackkatewinslet
posted 9/15/08 @ 9:36 PM PST
Now a days education and health care be affordable for everyone,not only for the upper middle class and the rich.....youth coming from good education implementing good ideas. (Continued…)
jackkatewinslet
jackkatewinslet
posted 9/15/08 @ 9:38 PM PST
Now a days education and health care be affordable for everyone,not only for the upper middle class and the rich.....youth coming from good education implementing good ideas. (Continued…)
ginkgo
Weblog
posted 9/23/08 @ 4:36 AM PST
When people study to be a rabbi, most of their reading is not the bible, but the Talmud. The Talmud is a discussion or debate of many rabbis searching for the best way to look at things. (Continued…)
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