Posted by Toph on November 2, 2005, at 11:00:24
In reply to Re: I highly recommend this book on Civility » Toph, posted by alexandra_k on November 1, 2005, at 13:28:09
>
> Surely there must be a middle way...
>Thinking some more about the topic it strikes me that as our country honors the passing of Rosa Parks whose courageous act of uncivil disobebience sparked monumental social change here, often much is sacrificed in the name of order. Rosa confronted a discriminatory system justified by history and cultural norms and supported by the now defunct constitutional principle of separate but equal. Yet some of best designs of government, the brightest scientific discoveries, the most important socio-political changes, the greatest works of art, music and design have been accomplished because of individuals willing to break the rules. What is most dangerous is when social order becomes a rigid end in itself, and those empowered to maintain order are blinded by their own self-sustaining ideology. I agree, alex, that there needs to be some middle ground between absolute civil control and civil unrest, either extreme turns away too many important people.
poster:Toph
thread:573943
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20051013/msgs/574506.html