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Jan. 12, 2005 It will not surprise many of you to learn that in the course of my adulthood I have offended more than my fair share of nice folks. I can only say that in the large majority of those occasions, offense was not my intention. If I were the type to blame others, I’d tell you of my critical father’s influence or my mother’s abandonment of her children as being the cause of my cynical outlook. Although I did suffer those negative influences, I don’t believe myself incapable of rising above them. In truth, I have stared into the mirror of introspection and agonized over the blemishes on my psyche – agonized until I saw past those surface scars. I am now very comfortable with my flawed but unique personality because I recognize the moral strength that exists underneath that craggy complexion. I can be very blunt in my assessments of others, but I am fair in that I allow blunt assessments of myself without reprisal – if they are true, and most of the worst are. (Funny that it is usually the lesser insults that are not true) I’ve often said that my biggest problem is a twisted belief in the Golden Rule – “do unto others, blah, blah.” My twist is that I absolutely don’t care how others “do unto me”. I’ve been a bad boy, in the past, and don’t attempt to hide those sins and don’t feel the need to be “born again” to forgive myself. With that twist in mind, I naively allow myself to “do unto others” with the same reckless abandon believing they will have the same strength, and honesty, of character as I. Unfortunately, many others either want to pretend that they have not been bad, or believe their newfound morality absolves them, and therefore, they should not be the subjects of blunt assessments. So from where, the backseat shrinks among you ask, did my skewed concept of proper interpersonal relationships arise, if not from the popular scapegoat of parental abuse? I credit, and I do intend that laudatory inference, a philosophy professor, Dr. Kitchell, from my university days. While I have, undoubtedly and unfortunately, forgotten more than I remember as I now pass the midpoint of life, I have never forgotten a lesson learned in her class. It is a lesson I’ve repeated countless times to anyone who would listen including my children (well, I MADE them listen), a high school graduating class, Boy Scouts, in job interviews, and numerous others. I’d like to share it with you as well, although I only borrow it. Credit me only with understanding its message. I am a very vocal advocate for the superiority of the classical liberal arts education, despite its diminished popularity in today’s technical world. Although I’ve apologized to Mr. Reyneke for lacking the intellectual stamina in my pre- dotage to adequately discuss his U-K postings, I’ve expressed my appreciation, to both he and Mr. Mulville, for the philosophical bent to their writings. I’ve also mentioned another philosopher who greatly influenced me, St. Anselm and his proof of God’s existence, in private discussions with both atheists and the fervent faithful of this site. However, the philosopher that has influenced me the most, he that is the focus of this post, is Socrates. As minimal preface, I would tell you that Socrates was Greek and is most known for the Socratic Method of teaching. Socrates asked his students questions to which he did not profess to know the answers, but would lead them to the truth using skepticism and empirical rhetoric. Our only knowledge of Socrates comes not from his words, but by the documentation of others, most famously, Plato. In his Apology, Plato relates of Socrates’ trial by the elders of Athens on charges of impiety and the corruption of Athenian youth. I recommend the story to any reader – it can be enjoyed on a surface level for his witty ripostes and does not require a deep understand to be great entertainment. My enlightenment came from his answer when questioned about the Oracle at Delphi’s proclamation that Socrates was the wisest man in the realm. The Oracle was known for answering in riddles. Perhaps her most famous was after a King’s request to predict the result of a planned invasion, to which she said, “A great Kingdom will be destroyed”. Taking that to mean success would be forthcoming, the King attacked – and failed. His Kingdom was then destroyed and the prophecy realized. Socrates’ response recognizes that puzzling nature of the Oracle. Socrates expressed puzzlement at the proclamation. He humbly noted the great minds of the day – mathematicians, astronomers, etc. and wondered why they were not considered smarter than he. Nevertheless, he surmised, if the Oracle proclaimed him so, it must be because he was the only one who knew how stupid he was. While those great minds would, if asked, declare themselves smart, Socrates knew himself to be stupid. I know myself to be stupid. I’ve met many smart people but none believed themselves as smart as I’ve heard some of the most ignorant declare themselves. In fact, almost without exception, I have found that a high school diploma results in more self- righteousness than every post graduate degree ever conferred. I tell those who’ll listen that the most important thing I learned from college and law school is that I am stupid. I tell my children that every day represents another opportunity to learn, but there are never enough days in a life to become smart. Humility is the character trait I most admire. The paradox of my life is that I am often accused of arrogance despite the certainty of my belief otherwise. My critics confuse being “right” with being “arrogant.” I do have a strident need to be “right,” however I don’t care how I arrive there. If my ideas are proven wrong, I am instantly the biggest supporter of what I have now been shown to be right. If not proven wrong however, no amount of blustering will change my opinion. Like Socrates, I would rather take a fatal drink of hemlock than betray my integrity. ------------ About the author: Ron Lewis is a software salesman extraordinaire, albeit habitually unemployed, with no significant accomplishments at age 47 other than two wonderfully talented children who take after their mother. All his friends note his keen insight, bad eyesight, doggedly jaded disposition, and rugged bad looks. A third person seems to recall that he talks too much. Email: grnacres@direcway.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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