Arendt - Between Past and Future - Chapter 5 - 8

The Crisis In Education

"A crisis becomes a disaster only when we respond to it with preformed judgments."

"The disappearance of common-sense in the present day is the surest sign of  the present day crisis."

Since the teacher does not need to know his own subject, it not infrequently happens that he is just one hour ahead of his class in knowledge.  ....  thus the non-authoritarian teacher can no longer exist.

"Anyone who refuses to assume joint responsibility for the world should not have children and must not be allowed to take part in educating them."

The Crisis in Culture

First of all, Arendt argues, it is the artist who acts politically by rebelling against the establishment. Therefore the interest in the political activity of artists which seems to include philosophers.  Some of who apparently have held culturally responsible ethics.

"Always act in such a manner that the principle of your action can become a general law." - Kant

"Since i am one (unity) it is better for me to disagree with the whole world than to be in disagreement with myself." - Socrates / Plato

"It is not knowledge and truth that is at stake, but rather judgment and decision."   (common sense??)

"It is a matter of taste to prefer Plato's company and the company of his thoughts even if this should lead us astray from truth."  - Cicero

"The Romans thought a cultivated person ought to be one who knows how to choose his company among men, among things, among thoughts, in the present as well as the past."




Truth and Politics

"Lies have always been regarded as necessary and justifiable tools not only of the politician's or the demagogue's but also the statesman's trrade."

Factual truth, and the solid reasoning of one man have taken a back seat to "public opinion".  

"The long term result of brainwashing is  a peculiar kind of cynicism - an absolute refusal to believe in the truth of anything."


The Conquest of Space

No one could doubt that space travel would increase the stature of man.  However, taking the Archimedean vantage point to observe and measure the stature of man reduces his actions to mere biology no different than observing rats.