Idealism, alas, does not protect one from ignorance, dogmatism, and foolishness.
Interpretation
Idealism does not shield individuals from being uninformed or stubbornly holding onto misguided beliefs.
In this quote, Sidney Hook emphasizes that merely holding lofty ideals or ambitions does not grant immunity against ignorance or irrationality. It serves as a reminder that one must actively seek knowledge and remain open to questioning their beliefs to avoid falling into the traps of dogmatism and foolishness.
In practice
During a discussion about the importance of critical thinking in education.
A liberal education will impart an awareness of the amazing and precious complexity of human relationships. Since those relationships are violated more often out of insensitiveness than out of deliberate intent, whatever increases sensitiveness of perception and understanding humanizes life.
Everyone recognizes a distinction between knowledge and wisdom. . . Wisdom is a kind of knowledge. It is knowledge of the nature, career, and consequences of human values. Since these cannot be separated from the human organism and the social scene, the moral ways of man cannot be understood without knowledge of the ways of things and institutions.
In contrast to totalitarianism, democracy can face and live with the truth about itself.
Tolerance always has limits - it cannot tolerate what is itself actively intolerant.
The easiest rationalization for the refusal to seek the truth is the denial that truth exists.
The mob that hails the man on horseback, the Caesars and conquering heroes, does not retain its freedoms for long.
I would much rather have men ask why I have no statue than why I have one.
Attempts to wake before our time are often punished, especially by those who love us most. Because they, bless them, are asleep. They think anyone who wakes up, or who, still asleep, realizes that what is taken to be real is a βdreamβ is going crazy.
If you are on an honest journey to find yourself, you'll find God.
A life is measured by how it is lived for the sake of heaven.
Almost nobody believes anymore that infants are insensate blobs. It seems both mad and evil to deny experience and feeling to a laughing, gurgling creature.
It may seem bizarre, but in my opinion science offers a surer path to God than religion.
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