The behavior of the oppressed is a prescribed behavior, following as it does the guidelines of the oppressor.
Paulo FreireRead
[Humans'] capacity to intervene, to compare, to judge, to decide, to choose, to desist makes them capable of acts of greatness, of dignity, and, at the same time, of the unthinkable in terms of indignity.
Interpretation
Humans have the ability to make significant choices, which entails both the capability for greatness and the risk of choosing poorly.
This quote by Paulo Freire emphasizes the dual nature of human capacity for choice and action. It suggests that our abilities to intervene in the world, make comparisons, and exercise judgment allow us to achieve greatness and uphold dignity. However, these same abilities can lead to acts of indignity and unthinkable actions, highlighting the moral responsibility that comes with our capacity to make decisions.
In practice
In a leadership training seminar, this quote can inspire participants to reflect on their decision-making abilities.
The behavior of the oppressed is a prescribed behavior, following as it does the guidelines of the oppressor.
How can the oppressed, as divided, unauthentic beings, participate in developing the pedagogy of their liberation?
Critical and liberating dialogue, which presupposes action, must be carried on with the oppressed at whatever the stage of their struggle for liberation. The content of that dialogue can and should vary in accordance with historical conditions and the level at which the oppressed perceive reality.
This is the sense in which I am obliged to be a listener. To listen to the student's doubts, fears, and incompetencies that are part of the learning process. It is in listening to the student that I learn to speak with him or her.
This pedagogy makes oppression and its causes objects of reflection by the oppressed, and from that reflection will come their necessary engagement in the struggle for their liberation. And in the struggle this pedagogy will be made and remade
The oppressors do not perceive their monopoly on having more as a privilege which dehumanizes others and themselves. They cannot see that, in the egoistic pursuit of having as a possessing class, they suffocate in their own possessions and no longer are; they merely have.
How can you prove whether at this moment we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream; or whether we are awake, and talking to one another in the waking state?
There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. But they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.
Life never presents us with anything which may not be looked upon as a fresh starting point, no less than as a termination.
We inherited these principles and these freedoms and we here highly resolve that we shall pass them on, as we will pass on an undivided Republic purged of racism and slavery, to our descendants. The popgun discharges of a few pathetic sectarians and crackpot revisionists are negligible, and will be drowned by the mounting chorus that demands: 'Mr Jefferson! BUILD UP THAT WALL'.
The only boundaries we have are in form. There are no obstacles in thought.
I don't think there's an interesting boundary between philosophy and science. Science is totally beholden to philosophy. There are philosophical assumptions in science and there's no way to get around that.
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