Quotes of the Week
Quote of the Week: July 19, 2007
by Jimmy Hopper
Our quote of the week is below. Consider it and let everyone know your thoughts, opinions, etc. This quote is from C. S. Lewis from an essay entitled “Democratic Education” in his book Present Concerns: Essays.
The demand for equality has two sources; one of them is among the noblest, the other is the basest of human emotions. The noble source is the desire for fair play. But the other source is the hatred of superiority.
What are your thoughts on this idea; and how does it play out in your experience in society and in Lewis’ subject, education in a democracy?
Posted by Jimmy Hopper at July 19, 2007 12:57 PM
This is well stated. We see the negative side all around us. Culture wants not only equality of essence but equality of results. The only way to attempt to achieve this is through lowest common denominator tactics. One of the best examples of this, oddly enough, is in the animated movie ‘The Incredibles’. Culture told superheroes they were no linger allowed to do what they were created to do (you know, superhuman stuff…) because it made the ‘normal’ folks feel inferior. I suspect jealous is as accurate a term as inferior. This idea implicitly tries to take the idea of election to task. If there is to be no difference in either essence or result, universalism (in either positive, negative or no direction) must be the outcome.
Having said all that, the other side of the coin behooves us to deal with everyone in a fair and dignified manner due to the realization of the stamp of God’s creative image in everyone.