The metaphysical (and ultimately psychological) linking up of the idea of personal goodness with the possession of knowledge — particularly knowledge of what is “True” — was NOT something with which I had been brought up.
It’s a cultural thing, then, I believe — a system of ideas more prevalent in one place than another. And, as Nietzsche points out, the metaphysical conjoinment of Truth, Knowledge and Power is in fact Platonism.
But — back to my problem, and the structural flaw within the system that is the reason why I met so many reeducators.
When I first came to Australia at age 16 I professed non-knowledge about just about everything. It was my way of saying, “teach me, please!” But nobody did. I believe my inability to find those who would assist me to learn the ropes of a new culture was related very much to a number of unfortunate experiences I had later. And so it went on — one “unfortunate” experience after another. But these were by no means accidental.
I was being taught a lesson, I believe, that it is not my right not to know something. That not to know is weakness — specifically moral weakness — and that dogmatism is strength.
So, I would try to get assistance by various means, and in the process I would naturally be inclined to admit that I didn’t know something, that I was confused about how the system functioned, that I sought enlightenment. According to the reactions this produced I now realise that this was code for saying, I have no moral qualities, I will not accept being brought to order and that finally I am seeking self-gratification.
So things were so very difficult. My propensity to tell the truth was countered all the time with somebody’s projection — their Platonic Truth.
And of course I made it even worse by stating that I had intellectual interests and aspirations.
So much worse.
It’s a cultural thing, then, I believe — a system of ideas more prevalent in one place than another. And, as Nietzsche points out, the metaphysical conjoinment of Truth, Knowledge and Power is in fact Platonism.
But — back to my problem, and the structural flaw within the system that is the reason why I met so many reeducators.
When I first came to Australia at age 16 I professed non-knowledge about just about everything. It was my way of saying, “teach me, please!” But nobody did. I believe my inability to find those who would assist me to learn the ropes of a new culture was related very much to a number of unfortunate experiences I had later. And so it went on — one “unfortunate” experience after another. But these were by no means accidental.
I was being taught a lesson, I believe, that it is not my right not to know something. That not to know is weakness — specifically moral weakness — and that dogmatism is strength.
So, I would try to get assistance by various means, and in the process I would naturally be inclined to admit that I didn’t know something, that I was confused about how the system functioned, that I sought enlightenment. According to the reactions this produced I now realise that this was code for saying, I have no moral qualities, I will not accept being brought to order and that finally I am seeking self-gratification.
So things were so very difficult. My propensity to tell the truth was countered all the time with somebody’s projection — their Platonic Truth.
And of course I made it even worse by stating that I had intellectual interests and aspirations.
So much worse.
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