“But progress in knowledge has made us aware of the superficiality of Plato's lumping of individuals and their original powers into a few sharply marked-off classes; it has taught us that original capacities are indefinitely numerous and variable. It is but the other side of this fact to say that in the degree in which society has become democratic, social organization means utilization of the specific and variable qualities of individuals, not stratification by classes.” MeanMadeFactsIndividualSocialSidesQualityClassProgressTaughtDegreesCapacityOrganizationOriginalsDemocraticPlatoTaught UsVariablesSuperficialityPlato SSocial OrganizationUtilization Book:Democracy And Education Source: Democracy And Education
“It is a commonplace observation that liberals believe in the perfectibility of man while conservatives believe in the endurance of original sin. Superficially, that would suggest that conservatives take a more understanding and indulgent view of individual lapses, while liberals take a more harshly judgmental one. In fact, we know, quite the opposite is the case.” KnowsMenBelieveFactsIndividualUnderstandingSinViewsCasesOppositesOriginalsObservationEnduranceCommonplaceJudgmentalOriginal SinLapses Book:In Defense of Elitism Source: In Defense of Elitism