Essence of the Liberal Outlook

IanC · Feb 24, 2012

Perhaps the essence of the Liberal outlook could be summed up in a new decalogue, not intended to replace the old one but only to supplement it. The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:

1. Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
2. Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
3. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.
4. When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavour to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
5. Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
6. Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
7. Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
8. Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent that in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
9. Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
10. Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fools paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.
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by Bertrand Russell

perhaps this is why I have always considered myself to be a liberal. of course the definition of liberal has changed considerably since this was published in 1951

editec · Feb 24, 2012

What you and Bert as defining as LIBERAL, I define as HONEST.

I think you make a mistake attempting to use the language that the MASTERS want you to use.

Liberalism v Conservatism has nothing whatever to do with today's politics.

There are no liberals in power nor conservatives, either.

There are merely two opposing teams of Insiders squabbling over the corpse of America's body politic

IanC · Feb 24, 2012

hahaha, you may be right

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Essence of the Liberal Outlook

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editec Mr. Forgot-it-All

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Essence of the Liberal Outlook

IanC Gold Member

editec Mr. Forgot-it-All

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Latest Threads

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