I found the idea that progress can only be furthered by the unreasonable man interesting. This reminds me of one of the plenary lectures in Unit 2, in which one student brought up the phrase that “you can only know the truth from a crazy person or a child.” The person may not actually be unreasonable or crazy, but to make a revolution, you must challenge the paradigms. To those who are still living under the paradigms, those who are making change may seem unreasonable or crazy. This leads to the idea that a lack of progress lies with those who adapt to their environment, okay with living in a problematic institution. The decision of whether or not society progresses lies with those in the middle – those who have not committed to one side or another. They have the power to either conform to societal standards and allow injustice or to make change. Much of the moral responsibility to spur progress and create a just world lies with moderates, as they can choose to be “unreasonable” and fight against what is wrong.
Three authors to discuss this passage: Maalouf, Morrison, Marx
Why do we attempt to define and simplify individuals’ identities?
How can we stop the commodification of human beings?
Do revolutions always seem unreasonable?
