On reading...on agreeing...on the duty of dis-agreeing...!

By José Blanco

One of the quotes that stood out for me was this one: 

Maria Popova's recent newsletter had a section on the Greek Maimonides, and his teaching on reading and writing...an it contains a few lessons for me. And maybe for you too, reading this post. Maria's writing is at: https://www.brainpickings.org/2015/10/26/maimonides-guide-for-the-perplexed/


Graphic used by Maria Popova in "Brain Pickings"
"But Maimonides argues that the responsibility to counter untruth lies equally in writer and reader, in media-maker and media-consumer — a sentiment triply timely today. In admonishing his reader against skimming and the unconsidered snap judgments it invariably seeds, he presents a timeless micro-manifesto for the intellectual responsibilities of all information-consumers in any medium:
Do not read superficially, lest you do me an injury, and derive no benefit for yourself. You must study thoroughly and read continually… The reader must, moreover, beware of raising objections to any of my statements, because it is very probable that he may understand my words to mean the exact opposite to what I intended to say… Let the reader make a careful study of this work… Should he notice any opinions with which he does not agree, let him endeavor to find a suitable explanation, even if it seem far-fetched, in order that he may judge me charitably. Such a duty we owe to every one. We owe it especially to our scholars and theologians, who endeavor to teach us what is the truth according to the best of their ability."
Echoing Popova's words, how applicable is this today in our quick 'Twitter-world' of exchanges, and 'search for the truth'. This responsibility put on us, the reader/s, to "find an explanation"..."in order to judge 'charitably', is a heavy one. But it seems full of fruit and opportunity to try something new, refreshing. Wow!

[...As opposed to rehashing the container-fill of beliefs, commandments, ideologies, creeds, faith-filled truisms, group-think-isms that govern our actions and our incessant 'penthouse-dweller'!]  

Thank you Maimonides! Thank you Maria!

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