Thought
it was interesting the overlap (from a hundred years ago) that it has
with our current political and intellectual/academic conversations.
JSM: "... There is the greatest difference between
presuming an opinion to be true, because, with every opportunity for contesting
it, it has not been refuted, and assuming its truth for the purpose of not
permitting its refutation. Complete liberty of contradicting and disproving our
opinion, is the very condition which justifies us in assuming its truth for
purposes of action."
and...
JSM: "However unwillingly a person who has a strong opinion may admit the
possibility that his opinion may be false, he ought to be moved by the
consideration that however true it may be, if it is not fully, frequently, and
fearlessly discussed, it will be held as a dead dogma, not a living truth."
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Narrative is determined not by a desire to narrate
but by a desire to exchange. (Roland Barthes, S/Z)
John Stuart Mill on "stories"?
Ran across this web site that cleverly chops up John Stuart Mill's "On Liberty" into an interview.
http://www.usconstitution.net/onliberty.html
Thought it was interesting the overlap (from a hundred years ago) that it has with our current political and intellectual/academic conversations.
JSM: "... There is the greatest difference between presuming an opinion to be true, because, with every opportunity for contesting it, it has not been refuted, and assuming its truth for the purpose of not permitting its refutation. Complete liberty of contradicting and disproving our opinion, is the very condition which justifies us in assuming its truth for purposes of action."
and...
JSM: "However unwillingly a person who has a strong opinion may admit the possibility that his opinion may be false, he ought to be moved by the consideration that however true it may be, if it is not fully, frequently, and fearlessly discussed, it will be held as a dead dogma, not a living truth."