3 ideas
468 | Musical performance can reveal a range of virtues [Damon of Ath.] |
Full Idea: In singing and playing the lyre, a boy will be likely to reveal not only courage and moderation, but also justice. | |
From: Damon (fragments/reports [c.460 BCE], B4), quoted by (who?) - where? |
21131 | Democracy is competition for support of the people, guided by self-interest on all sides [Posner] |
Full Idea: Democratic politics is a competition among self-interested politicians, constituting a ruling class, for the support of the people, also assumed to be self-interested, and none too interested or well informed about politics. | |
From: Richard Posner (Law, Pragmatism and Democracy [2003], p.144), quoted by Andrew Shorten - Contemporary Political Theory 05 | |
A reaction: This articulates the 'competitive' view of democracy, as simply a technique for establishing legitimacy. Posner is also an economist, and they also assume that everyone is wholly self-interested, which may be why they are so frequently wrong. |
17593 | Always be ready to give reasons for your beliefs [Peter] |
Full Idea: Be ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. | |
From: St Peter (21: First Epistle of Peter [c.50], 3:15) | |
A reaction: This quotation is the rational theologian's standard response to pure fideism. |