Word: adler
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...students have been chosen by local school principals. As preparation, they have had to read Adler's latest book, Six Great Ideas. Most found it rough going. "I had a dictionary in one hand," giggles Gunston School Junior Sandy Luna. "I learned a lot of new words like proclivity." The six ideas, handled in six two-hour sessions: Truth. Goodness. Beauty. Liberty. Equality. Justice. What they are engaged in is nothing less than a moral philosophy marathon, and at first the students seem cowed. Less than 15 minutes into the opening session, when Adler asks for questions about truth...
...Garrick Grobler, an articulate Easton High School junior who wants to go into politics. "How is it possible," he asks, "for people to differentiate between what is objective reality and what is subjective reality?" Replies Adler gently...
...know, you are using words that make it impossible for me to answer your question." There is a pause. Adler swivels in his chair, swings both feet in the air and gazes thoughtfully at the ceiling...
Then he asks a question back. "Have you ever told a lie?" "Yeah, sure," admits Garrick, looking a bit sheepish. "It would be better," continues Adler, "to give an example of a lie you told-and I assure you everyone in this room has told a lie." Garrick is on the spot, and the other students know it. They shriek with glee. Garrick hesitates, then blurts out, "Yesterday, we took this poll in school. I said no to a question when I should have said...
...that a lie?" Adler pursues, index finger resting on chin. Then he continues: "Because a lie consists in saying the opposite of what is true. Now let me ask you another question. Have you ever made an erroneous statement?" Jokes Garrick: "I just did when I said 'subjective reality.' " Adler takes the idea a step further. "Let me give you an example of an erroneous statement: There are three mountains on the Eastern Shore of Maryland more than 5,000 feet high." The students laugh at such an absurd notion. Poking the same index finger on the table...