I would like to preface this discussion with the idea that we, as a nation, live in exceedingly dangerous times. The most compelling evidence for me is the results of the recent mid-term elections. So many of the candidates, chosen for office by their electorate, have taken positions on critical issues that are rife with anti-intellectual and anti-science rhetoric. Their sense of implacable self-righteousness seems to dominate their thinking. They are apparently devoid of even the barest hint of humility. In my thinking, humility is the capacity to acknowledge that one can be mistaken, and it is an absolutely essential characteristic for those who assume positions of leadership. Without humility, we position ourselves, as a people, to a frightful future, for there can be no collective sanity without embracing our failings and our mistakes. To be devoid of humility is to welcome disaster.
Demagogues are often appealing during frightening times, for their madness entices those who are desperate for clarity, purpose and straightforward solutions no matter how absurd the answers might be in the light of critical thinking. Self righteousness can brook no compromise, for ideology is sustained and propelled by myopic vision. It proclaims clarity where there is none; it takes ownership of moral certitude where uncertainty abounds; it takes on the guise of salvation in spite of the evidence to the contrary.
If the nation is determined to choose leaders that cloak themselves in the guise of such righteousness at the ultimate expense of the common good, then we are a nation in serious trouble. This is the politics of the absurd and the dangerous.
If we are a nation in crisis, as all the evidence suggests, the answer does not lie in absurd and extreme notions, but rather through the use of reason and rational judgment in the true spirit of peace and humility.
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3 comments:
Humility, as you suggest, is often absent from 'our' leaders and yet still individuals yearn to have 'strong leaders.' I think that one is compatible with the other but I do not believe that humankind are able to discern the difference. I for one would rather not have strong leadership, in fact I would rather have no leaders at all but mankind simply isn’t grown up enough to accept that huge responsibility.
Rational reasoning, one based on factual evidence, will never be enough when you have a planet filled with superstition and blind faith. The fervour of faith fills the hearts and ultimately poisons the head with stuff and nonsense. But then again maybe it is a necessary balance as it offers a feeling of intellectual superiority and even a degree of cloaked ‘one-up-man- ship.’
I think that your mid-term elections, and I am assuming here that you, the author of this post, are from the USA, have shown that American citizens are dissatisfied, as are we in the UK, with all politicians. This in part is right. I too am fed up to the back teeth with the cavalier way some politicians behave. This, however, is not true of all those we elect.
At the end of the day whether those that run for office are humble or not becomes a moot point as repeatedly the voting public still select the same arrogant, self centred, self serving candidates that have plagued our democracies for centuries.
If there is to be change made then the public need to make it. The trouble is that they won’t; they never do. They create the Status Quo and it is they that maintain it thereby perpetuating the same cycle, the same hamster like wheel we all run around.
......."Democracy" is a sham, an illusion, it does not exist !
Electorate do not choose who gets into office, the puppet masters choose, the electorate are fooled into believing that they have a choice by being able to vote between two totally unacceptable parties, who have nothing to choose between them.
In any event the world is in crises, the whole world, because, remember the banks stole all our money three years ago.
There is a saying here in UK that anyone that puts themselves up to be an Member of Parliament should automatically be barred from holding any public office!
They are ALL greedy, self serving hypocrites and we don't need them!
The sooner people WAKE UP and realise that the better....
......."Democracy" is a sham, an illusion, it does not exist !
Electorate do not choose who gets into office, the puppet masters choose, the electorate are fooled into believing that they have a choice by being able to vote between two totally unacceptable parties, who have nothing to choose between them.
In any event the world is in crises, the whole world, because, remember the banks stole all our money three years ago.
There is a saying here in UK that anyone that puts themselves up to be an Member of Parliament should automatically be barred from holding any public office!
They are ALL greedy, self serving hypocrites and we don't need them!
The sooner people WAKE UP and realise that the better....
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