Abraham Lincoln: ‘The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present’ (via Sir Ken Robinson)

by Alec Patton

In his new TedTalk (already discussed by David Price), Sir Ken Robinson quotes Abraham Lincoln, from a speech he made to Congress laying the groundwork for the emancipation proclamation:

It is not “can any of us imagine better?” but, “can we all do better?” The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise — with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew, and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.    Annual Message to Congress -- Concluding Remarks

Yes, I think such a scenario may be before us yet again.



Note: This video no longer exists, so I substitute this one in its place:

This talk was about education, evidently.

I think it has a valid point, but the Lincoln's quote is why I put it up here. It seems that people get enthralled to a way of thinking and this way of thinking has to change if we are to move forward.