Let us give praise indeed to ideas, well expressed. For years I have collected the quotations and insightful thoughts of writers important to me. Each is a fractal observation that compresses understanding. To expand a seemingly simple flowering fractal enables one to consider complexities beyond the original perception. Each petal of perception induces application across varied experience.
While I seldom agree with most “political” pronouncements from the American Library Association, I am proud to subscribe to the “Freedom to Read” statement of the Association in which it is iterated:
"…We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours."
“…IDEAS CAN BE DANGEROUS; BUT…THE SUPPRESSION OF IDEAS IS FATAL...” This I firmly believe. Do not confuse thought with action however. Nor are all ideas created equal, only their potential claims parity.
How should one approach these dangerous notions? In Skepticism and Animal Faith, George Santayana states that “Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer.” One might also include the admonition that the more beautifully expressed the concept, the more reason to approach it with caution. View an attractive idea from all sides—there may be hidden facets; consider its potential ramifications; test its truth—both prescriptive and descriptive. But when you do find a true, beautiful, and powerful idea surrender. Shape it to give meaning to your life. Learn from it. Derive fruitful questions from its unintended consequences. [Good questions are far more important than “correct” answers.] Give the potent concept new and novel direction. Its truth can set you free, “dangerous way of life” that freedom can be.
I would like to share a few dangerous ideas with you, ones to which I have surrendered my chastity. Can they have meaning for you too?
In Care of the Soul Thomas Moore wrote, “For most people their cardinal virtue is also their pivotal fault.” This is a tough one because it requires a level of honesty and objectivity each of us finds difficult. I may still be trying to avoid Moore’s observation.
Leonardo DaVinci wrote to himself, “Leonardo, perchè tanto pené?” The question is “why do you take such trouble with your work?” He also wrote. “I have offended God and mankind because my work did not reach the quality it should have.” How humbling!
Richard Feynman, who espoused the primacy of doubt, is quoted in the book Mr. Wilson’s Cabinet of Wonders. Feynman is credited with saying, “teach how doubt is not to be feared but welcomed.” Doubt is an opportunity, not a shortcoming. How do doubt and skepticism differ?
Finally, James D. Doss states in his mystery The Shaman Sings, “Coincidences are nature’s way of saying ‘Pay Attention’.” Virtue: Fault: Craft: Humility: Doubt: Skepticism: Happenstance. Pay attention! The ingredients of a flowering fractal if I ever met one!
