We Must Always be Skeptical and Think for Ourselves
Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010
by David Tanguay
" When an old and distinguished person speaks to you, listen to him carefully and with respect -- but do not believe him. Never put your trust into anything but your own intellect. Your elder, no matter whether he has gray hair or has lost his hair, no matter whether he is a Nobel laureate -- may be wrong. The world progresses, year by year, century by century, as the members of the younger generation find out what was wrong among the things that their elders said. So you must always be skeptical -- always think for yourself." Linus Pauling
Of course, we can definitely learn from those older than we are for they can help us a great deal in our quest in finding new answers to the problems that confront us on a daily basis. However, the challenges we face in today's society require new techniques to solve old problems sometimes a young person can see new ways of dealing with old glitches.
As the world processes and progresses, we can find young blood to take on the situations life deals them. For the young are equipped with multiple resources in dealing with what ever comes their way.
Our educational system must be open to new discoveries in the art of development we must question old ideas and techniques. Not only does the world change but we as human beings change as well. Perhaps not biologically but intellectually we do change from generation to generation.
Many wise and intellectual men who wrote a doctrine for we the people to live under i.e. our constitution. It has served us well in the past however; with our changing times, we find new ideas to implement new concepts in our way of living.
Our constitution provides us with rules and laws to live by however; our way of living has changed dramatically from the times of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and all who contributed to the writing of our constitution.
Here in the 21st. Century we are ready to begin living our lives without rules or regulations. We are facing a new world order of living i.e. living by our natural instincts and letting love guide our actions from here on.
Yes, we must look within ourselves and let our heart and conscience guide us through the turbulent times we face today. Until we, all as human beings live as human beings and not as animals or automatons.
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More commentsGood article David.Best.....ePlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you ePlease log in to respond to this comment.
I used to tell my father that he may be older but he didn't know anything. Now that I'm a dad I realize I was right: but dad knew more than I gave him credit for. I taught him a few things and I'm looking forward to having my kids teach me a thing or two. Handing over the reins to the next generation is the way it should be.Please log in to respond to this comment.When I was a teenager I thought I new my father very well. Only he had the wisdom to put up with me when I was a young and rebellious lad. When I got older I could see where I was wrong and my father right.My father was also a rebel only he had the wisdom to see and accept the differenceThanks for commentingPlease log in to respond to this comment.
I agree with what you say, David and, as always, I love your enlightened view of humanity.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you Jennifer, I'm glad you liked it.Please log in to respond to this comment.
If only we could succeed well by living by our natural instincts. Everything does seem automated these days, I agree with you that this does not seem to be ideal. Thanks for the article!You made me think of a funny clip from Family Guy...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgCceg042wPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting BrombergPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Interesting article as always David. I believe love and tolerance of others should always be our guide for living. I too remember that the older I got the smarter my dad got. Without his guidance (rules) I would not have had some of the habits that helped to make me a better person.Please log in to respond to this comment.Yes Linda rules to live by are important as we grow and develope. However when we reach maturity we have the ability to think for ourselves. Thanks for commentingPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Respecting our elders for their wisdom, and trusting our children to build on that wisdom. Throwing out what no longer works, and developing new ways that do, is the only way to progress. Very nice article.Please log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting DavidPlease log in to respond to this comment.
If the young always listened and followed the elders then we would never progress. Learn from their mistakes and improve upon their advancements. That way we all benefit. Good article David and well said!GracePlease log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for commenting GracePlease log in to respond to this comment.
Great article Sir! Very well written and I enjoyed it too as always did.Regards, CPPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you Chiradeep, I'm glad you liked itPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Good thinking. Living life today with the current situation based on the Guide of consciousness is always a happy life. Human values demand to listening the old, that is enough to make him happy. Seniors who do not adapt to present living situation live hell kind life and ensure so for their relativesPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thank you for commenting G SPlease log in to respond to this comment.
Great article Dave very interesting and you are so right.ThanksPlease log in to respond to this comment.Thanks for commenting MikePlease log in to respond to this comment.
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