Free thought is a casualty of the battle for virtue supremacy from "summary" of Dictatorship of Virtue by Richard Bernstein
The relentless pursuit of virtue has become a dominant force in our society, shaping the way we think, speak, and act. In this battle for moral superiority, free thought often finds itself on the losing end. The pressure to conform to a certain set of beliefs and values can stifle independent thinking and dissenting opinions. The notion of virtue supremacy suggests that there is a hierarchy of moral values, with some deemed more worthy or righteous than others. Those who subscribe to this belief system often see themselves as the gatekeepers of morality, enforcing their standards on others and silencing any opposition. In this environment, free thought is viewed as a threat to the established order, a dangerous deviation from the accepted norms. Th...
Similar Posts
Practice intellectual humility
To truly excel as a thinker, it is essential to embrace the notion of intellectual humility. This means recognizing that we don...
Lead by example and inspire others to strive for peace
To cultivate a peaceful world, one must first embody peace within oneself. This means embodying peace in our thoughts, words, a...
Our sense of identity is shaped by our social interactions
Our sense of identity is not something we are born with, but rather something that is developed over time through our interacti...
Emphasize the importance of empathy in understanding others' perspectives
To truly understand someone else's perspective, we must first learn to empathize with them. Empathy is the ability to put ourse...
Building character requires a willingness to confront our own weaknesses and limitations
In our journey towards building character, we must come face to face with our own weaknesses and limitations. This is not an ea...
Ask yourself why you believe what you believe
When forming our beliefs, it is crucial to take a step back and examine the underlying reasons for holding those beliefs. Often...
Emphasize the role of emotions in decisionmaking
The process of decision-making is often seen as a purely rational and logical endeavor. However, emotions play a crucial role i...
The pursuit of truth requires questioning conventional beliefs and values
To truly seek out the truth, one must be willing to challenge the accepted norms and beliefs that society has ingrained within ...
Practice selfdiscipline
Begin by reminding yourself that self-discipline is not an abstract concept or a lofty ideal to be admired from a distance. It ...