2003-06-02

 
Open Idealism.

It is subjective and blindly arrogant to say "my idealism is the correct path" or that something is "most important". There are multitudinous paths to meaningful activity in this world, and we must always keep in mind that each person embarks upon quests that appear to suit individual needs. That is, what is ideal work for one person (helping at a soup kitchen) is just as sacred as another's work (environmental lobbying, or Christian missioning). What is crucial, however, is that we communicate in our daily process of value-sorting. It is wrong to say "This is the way of the world" but we must not refrain from saying "I believe that this is the way of the world". If we do not go out and profess our ideas of what is most important in life, then we embrace status quo and neglect progress. (It is my personal opinion that the status quo is certain disaster, and thus progress, however defined, is inevitable if we are to speak of sustained happiness). It would be futile to speak out at all if we were to believe that each individual choice of path of activity in life is sacred. We must question -- entreating with our emotion -- the activity around us. We must stand tall and be bold and proclaim our device, always preparing to revise. It is the exchange of idea that is critical to human life's progress, and the exchange can only be enacted if we part our mouths, release our tantrums, broadcast our proto-lectures. Do not fear the perception of arrogance so long as the final page is not written and you are ever willing to ammend your idealism.
posted by MM 11:49 PM