Re: Quotes and Knowledge

[Myron Tribus <mtribus@home.com>]

Ed Baker, with his usual depth, has asked a number of questions about 
a quotation which has been repeated several times.  I did not say it 
as a general rule but these things seem to have a life of their own.

The quotation is:
"If you know better, then you have an obligation to lead.  Don't give up."

Ed asked:
>1. What means "better"? Better than whom, than what, according to 
>what standard?
>2. Don't most people feel they know better than the rest of the 
>world? Isn't it so that those
>who feel this way, and can mass the political and military power, 
>are threats to individual
>freedom. Couldn't this be a justification for authoritarian rule?
>3. Where does the "obligation" come from? What is the source, 
>justification for this assertion
>that one has an obligation? Does one have an obligation to impose 
>his or her values and
>worldview on everyone else?
>4. What is the operational definition of "lead"? It is through 
>questioning, or through
>establishing a hierarchy with the self-annointed one on the top, or 
>through ...?

All I meant was that if you think you understand something in a 
fundamental way, then you have an obligation to your fellow human 
beings to speak out and attempt to persuade them to accept your 
understanding. Of course, you should not do this by force and should 
be prepared to listen and to learn and perhaps to modify your 
understanding.  That is, in my opinion, what leaders should do and 
what I mean by "to lead".

I know this is what Ed does, because I have seen him in action and 
have often quoted from his writings.  He does what I advocate. He 
speaks out, he attempts to teach and, in the process, I observe that 
he also learns.

I regret that when I first saw that quote I did not write to the 
author and suggest that he made too much of it.  However, seeing 
someone actually quote what I wrote made me feel so good, I didn't 
want to turn it off. Now I wish I had tried.

Myron Tribus,  350 Britto Terrace,  Fremont, CA 94539
Ph:510 651 3641  Fax: 510 656 9875   e-mail: mtribus@home.com
If it goes without saying, it goes better if you say it (An old Hindu proverb).
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