“If you’re not ready to die for it, put the word ‘freedom’ out of your vocabulary.”
These mentally provoking words were uttered by Malcolm X, the assassinated Black American activist who converted to the Muslim faith in 1965. More than just fighting for an end in segregation and equality in the ‘60s, Malcolm X batted for black supremacy.
His quotation finds great relevance in Philippine society today as this is echoed by proletarian sectors and the Left, including the political opposition who find themselves out of the loop in the power structure and authority.
Rational thinking refers to a logical stream of thoughts and actions associated closely to the “freedom” that Malcolm X mentioned. Very obviously, if you do not have freedom, how can that enable you to make a rational decision if your ideas are imprisoned from within and without?
English philosopher, political economist and public servant John Stuart Mill, in this context, wrote on his account of “Utilitarianism” in 1863 that ‘it is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied; better to be a Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.”
Come to think of it, many of our decision-making processes that precede the actions taken involve logic, or the right-thinking method. However, we cannot simply explain why our policymakers still commit mistakes and errors in the furtherance of governance.
I am inclined to assume that emotional hang-ups impose themselves on the rational side, thereby clouding our thoughts. When this happens, as it had happened in the past, Mill’s quotation above applies.
If our people can clearly decipher just why our government authorities act and implement governance policies the way they do, taking into serious consideration Mill’s quotation, this nation and its people would not find themselves as politically polarized as it is now.
I read an article somewhere that cited a professor of cognitive science and artificial intelligence that “logic is a fairly peculiar way that is not implementable in decision-making, going by the fact that the world is such in a situation of great uncertainty,” or something to this effect.
I have a contrary view. Because our country and government are peppered with so many uncertainties, globally and domestically, that require rational thinking from our national leaders who must – imperatively and impeccably – act like they are a “Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.”
Or are we all fools who follow the crowd and swim with the current because that is the most convenient lifestyle at the present?
Regardless of the conditions we are in today, I am more inclined to commit myself to the school of thought that believes we are enjoying as much freedom as those of our counterparts elsewhere in the world.
And as we exercise this freedom, we are reminded to nurture what our forefathers have bequeathed to us, the sacrifices that they made and the truth that they died for during the days of darkness when they were fighting for freedom and independence.
I hope we are not living under some illusion that we are close to achieving success in governance. Let us disengage ourselves from that kind of thinking, even as we witness how doubly hard the incumbent authority is trying to scale a Mt. Everest of sort.
This is what Buddha said in the Pali Canon of scriptures that are part of Theravada Buddhism: “If you find a man who points out faults and who reproves, follow such a wise person as you would a guide to hidden treasure.” (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) Psalm 75:1; “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.” GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
