Chris : Actually I agree completely, but outside of a Christian context, and not much else, there can all-too-easily be misunderstanding. Roget gives a number of synonyms that do not translate at all well into the political realm : lowliness degradation demean condescend shame disgrace browbeaten submit look foolish on one's knees etc I get the definition that is commonplace in Evangelical churches, but it isn't in Roget's lexicon and hardly ever is understood in popular culture. Instead what comes to mind for most people is one of the above, or more than one of the above. That's the problem, not the Christian definition. If you have the time, as a pastor does for a sermon, OK, you can explain and even be convincing. But what about a 30 second sound bite ? Finding a word that is just right, that says humble in a Christian sense but is not misleading is also a problem. So far, no solution that really says it. Billy ------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/10/2012 3:48:33 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [email protected] writes:
Billy, I don’t think that the word “humble” is critical, but I think humility is an important RC trait. We need to lack hubris, be willing to listen, be open to opposing ideas with respect, etc. if we want to remain in the radical center. If we are the opposite of humble, say arrogant, then we will be closing our minds to new radical ideas that may enrich the centrist movement. Chris ------------------------------------------ Christopher P. Hahn, Ph.D. Constructive Agreement, LLC [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) P.O. Box 39, Bozeman, MT 59771 (406) 522-4143 (406) 556-7116 fax ------------------------------------------ From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 2:45 PM To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Subject: Re: The Positive Centrist Manifesto Re: [RC] Tenet v2 Ernie : Even if you never signed your e-mails your signature would be obvious in at least one out of every 3 or 4 your letters. Favorite words are the giveaway, especially "humble." You have a thing for humble. I still would prefer a word that says humble but isn't the word humble as such, but it wouldn't be you if humble wasn't in the mix. Trouble is that "humble" isn't a political virtue. At least this is my take. But it sure is an objective virtue. So, how do we promote the spirit of not being too positive when we really don't know what is necessary to make sound judgements, how can we be assertive without pushing things too far ( one of my problems ) ? And so forth . For myself my preferred terminology might be, instead of humble, "Zen like." This would give us-- How Zen-like Progressives and Innovative Conservatives Can Together Incrementally Improve Society Well, that isn't quite right, either, although it would be possible to use "Zen Progressivism" in some circumstances. just a thought... Billy ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1/10/2012 12:53:42 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) writes: Oh, and one useful term might be "humble progressivism". This directly answers the primary negative reaction (dang, wish Kevin was here) to the "progressive" term. The counterpart might well be 'innovative conservatives", those whose are willing to adapt new mechanisms to serve age-old ideals. Hmm... The Positive Centrist Manifesto How Humble Progressives and Innovative Conservatives Can Together Incrementally Improve Society Not quite there, but it has the seeds of something interesting... E On Jan 10, 2012, at 12:39 PM, Dr. Ernie Prabhakar wrote: Integrated the changes. Oddly enough, it turned the tenet into the opening of a manifesto: ----------------------------------------------------- Very good stuff. I'll want to post this on _RC.org_ (http://rc.org/) once it finalizes. A few more words to think about incorporating: - courage - hope - passion - learning I think you've got the right facts, but they don't "sing" yet. We need a centrism that stirs the hearts, not just the minds (as I keep telling Ash the Moderate). As a side note, I've been thinking a lot about producing A Centrist Manifesto incorporating the various viewpoints expressed on Centroids. Perhaps this could be the Preamble... Keep up the great work! -- Ernie P. On Jan 10, 2012, at 12:34 PM, Mike Gonzalez wrote: Integrated the changes. Oddly enough, it turned the tenet into the opening of a manifesto: ----------------------------------------------------- When pessimism infects centrism, it becomes angry populism. It is true that anger can help one recognize what is important, but it is essential that anger is disciplined and channeled correctly. At its core, anger is an energizer, but is no substitute-for or equal-of true productivity. When apathy blends with centrism, it creates the traditional view of the lazy, valueless independent. A great nation requires the fostering of a deliberative, educated citizenry. A great political movement would do its part by bringing issues directly to citizens for informed discussion, which would result in a better scrutinized body of elected representatives, itself leading to better lawmaking. Rather than anger or apathy, what is needed is a tempered positivity in scientific centrism. This scientific "radical" centrism channels the best aspects of an ideology that believes in the application of workable solutions to create a positive impact on civil society. Consequently, a rejection of pessimism and apathy in favor of sober belief in a society's ability to improve itself is an essential aspect of centrism. The result of this is a progressive evolution that supports testable change to improve the lot of the entire populace. The result is a rejection of the moralistic utopianism that characterizes modern progressivism, a movement that exists as its own unaccountable religion of moral imperatives. This additionally serves as a rejection of the conservatism that questions whether we even have the intellectual ability to improve the human condition. Recognition that we live significantly longer, communicate much more quickly, and feed and clothe many more citizens than we did in the 18th century is testament to the fact that the human condition improves. In contrast to the reigning alternatives, in our centrism, the improvement of civil society can be maximized through rational, measured integration of scientific, technological, and social advancements. -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) > Google Group: _http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism_ (http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism) Radical Centrism website and blog: _http://RadicalCentrism.org_ (http://radicalcentrism.org/) -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <[email protected]> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org
