| I may be taking this quote out of the context of the | | | | In other words, we have the right to doubt anything |
| author's original meaning in that I apply it to religious | | | | and everything. The great certainty of the past has |
| thinking. I have no doubt that in their day, the myths | | | | been certainty. Is it relevant these days in a ever |
| (stories) of Generals Moses, Constantine or | | | | changing world? |
| Mohammed had a certain relevance within the | | | | One reason we are in two wars is because the |
| context of the time and place originated. | | | | population is trained to accept certainty and reject |
| But today is today. Give a guy a break. I have the | | | | doubt. Wanting to have a beer with a man who |
| right to doubt in the myths of the past. It is a right | | | | seems certain in his personal convictions and having |
| of and a right to belief in the private and public realm. | | | | the courage to doubt are two separate issues. |
| It is a universal human right. | | | | Certainty in belief and rituals were a good thing when |
| "Everyone has the right to doubt everything as often | | | | there were more trees in the forest than people. |
| as he pleases and the duty to do it at least once. No | | | | On a dying planet, I would have to say that doubt is |
| way of looking at things is too sacred to be | | | | the greater virtue these days. Doubt will keep you |
| reconsidered. No way of doing things is beyond | | | | on your toes and aware of what changes that are |
| improvement." - Edward De Bono (The Use of Lateral | | | | needed to survive. |
| Thinking) | | | | Certainty based on the past could kill you. |