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46 Difference is essential to meaning
After my contracts course in law school,
Professor Levin taught an exam review session. I was
uncomfortable because his position was quite different from mine
on almost every issue. Later he posted grades and returned the
test booklets to us. He had given me the highest grade in the
class--not because I agreed with him, but because I had covered
every issue.
Using Professor Levin’s philosophy, I
give you questions, not answers. If you stay with me, you
are the one who changes the world.
Separating “us” from “them” is the road
to destruction. It is the macro version of separating “self”
from “other.” Differences, not separation,
are essential to meaning. Where all are identical, there is
no individual identity. Isolating the parts devalues
everybody’s meaning. Personal value is uniqueness
within the whole. Joy is our wholeness which we do
not achieve alone.
The improved new world is not imposed on
us by autocracy. We arrive there by our own decisions, respecting
human equality, diversity, and dignity. Combining opposing
principles of thesis and antithesis, human genius creates
synthesis. Your contribution is essential to our
survival.
I do not give you answers because they do
not exist yet. We are building them using every positive idea
within our reach—and beyond.
The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It
cannot be changed without changing our thinking.
Albert
Einstein
The more we realize what still needs to
be achieved, the more I am encouraged by our progress. This is a
positive, creative time when we have the priceless opportunity
and reasons to change our thinking.
Being For Others Blog copyright © 2020 Kent Busse
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