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At the The American Scholar, Robert Zaretsky writes f the theories of Austrian philosopher Karl Popper, who lived through and studied the rise of fascism in early and mid-twentieth century Europe. In the midst of a lengthy exploration of Popper’s work, Zaretsky makes what I find a trenchant observation, one which I characterizes dis coarse discourse:

Arrest all change: This is the lasting mark not of an open society, but instead a closed one. The former thrives on what Popper calls a “critical attitude,” one that reflects the principle of fallibilism: Truths are only true if they are verified through the give and take of experience and experiment. The latter, however, throttles such practices, preferring the “dogmatic” power of myths that maintain the stability of the state and the submission of its citizens.

I find his piece a timely and relevant read.

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