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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A new poll showed that if the election was held today, people would be confused because it is normally held read more
A new poll showed that if the election was held today, people would be confused because it is normally held in November.
The search for moral guidance which shall not depend upon external authority has invariably ended in the acknowledgment of some read more
The search for moral guidance which shall not depend upon external authority has invariably ended in the acknowledgment of some new authority.
Nobody is equal to anybody. Even the same man is not equal to himself on different days.
Nobody is equal to anybody. Even the same man is not equal to himself on different days.
Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud read more
Free speech is not to be regulated like diseased cattle and impure butter. The audience that hissed yesterday may applaud today, even for the same performance.
Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the read more
Freedom means freedom from forces and circumstances which would turn man into a thing, which would impose on man the passivity and predictability of matter. By this test, absolute power is the manifestation most inimical to human uniqueness. Absolute power wants to turn people into malleable clay.
What you cannot enforce, do not command.
What you cannot enforce, do not command.
If you are to stand up for your Government you must be able to stand up to your Government.
If you are to stand up for your Government you must be able to stand up to your Government.
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.
The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small read more
The direct use of force is such a poor solution to any problem, it is generally employed only by small children and large nations.
