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The actor, like the modern man of reason, must have his…

“The actor, like the modern man of reason, must have his place determined and his lines memorized before he goes on stage. (...) The public itself has been soothed to such an extent by scripted debates imbued with theoretically "right" answers that it no longer seems to respond positively to…” quote by John Ralston Saul
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““The actor, like the modern man of reason, must have his place determined and his lines memorized before he goes on stage. (...) The public itself has been soothed to such an extent by scripted debates imbued with theoretically "right" answers that it no longer seems to respond positively to arguments which create doubt. Real doubt creates real fear. (...) De Gaulle found a sensible compromise, given the times. He reserved his public thinking for the printed page and on those pages he allowed himself to ask fundamental questions. But when he spoke, it was either with reason or with emotion - that is to say, with answers or with mythology. He divided himself between the man of letters, who knows how to live with doubt, and the man of state, who is the epitome of certainty. the brilliance of this approach could be seen in the frustration and sometimes fury of the opposing elites. The truism today is that mythological figures and men of power should not think in public. They should limit themselves to affirming truths. Stars, after all, are rarely equipped to engage in public debate. They would abhor the idea that the proper way to deal with confusion in society is to increase that confusion by asking uncomfortable questions until the source of the difficulties is exposed.””

John Ralston Saul

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Public discourse is dominated by rehearsed, certain answers, discouraging doubt and critical questioning, which are essential for genuine understanding.

In simple terms: People favor certainty over doubt, limiting true debate.

Key Takeaway

Encourage questioning and embrace uncertainty.

Themes

public discourse certainty doubt critical thinking media

Mood

thoughtful critical inquisitive

Type

analytical philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • political debates
  • media analysis
  • education curricula
  • leadership training

Key Concepts

philosophy political theory communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can societies balance certainty with healthy doubt?
  • What role should public figures play in fostering critical inquiry?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on certainty can stifle innovation and alienate audiences.

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