A Liberal Decalogue
Perhaps the essence of the Liberal outlook could be summed up in a new decalogue, not intended to replace the old one but only to supplement it.
The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows:
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1.
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Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.
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2.
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Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.
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3.
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Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed.
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4.
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When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavour to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.
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5.
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Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.
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6.
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Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.
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7.
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Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
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8.
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Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent that in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.
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9.
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Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.
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10.
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Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.
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Notes:
Bertrand Russel's 10 rules to live by for those who love truth and knowledge.
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A Liberal DecalogueSchemas
Scientific Virtues
Memes that define the virtues of science and behaviors that we should emulate.
