The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."
Interpretation
Anti-intellectualism undermines democratic discourse by equating ignorance with knowledge.
In this quote, Isaac Asimov critiques the pervasive anti-intellectual sentiment that exists in society. He points out that this thread of thought has been reinforced by the erroneous belief that in a democracy, an individual's lack of knowledge is as valuable as another's informed perspective. This mindset threatens the foundations of informed decision-making and democratic engagement, suggesting that understanding and expertise are devalued in favor of populist ignorance.
In practice
This quote can be used in a seminar discussing the importance of education in a democratic society.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation. Human dignity cannot survive it. Convenience and decency cannot survive it. As you put more and more people into the world, the value of life not only declines, but it disappears. It doesn't matter if someone dies.
Science does not promise absolute truth, nor does it consider that such a thing necessarily exists. Science does not even promise that everything in the Universe is amenable to the scientific process.
Democracy cannot survive overpopulation.
Although the time of death is approaching me, I am not afraid of dying and going to Hell or (what would be considerably worse) going to the popularized version of Heaven. I expect death to be nothingness and, for removing me from all possible fears of death, I am thankful to atheism.
A subtle thought that is in error may yet give rise to fruitful inquiry that can establish truths of great value.
During the century after Newton, it was still possible for a man of unusual attainments to master all fields of scientific knowledge. But by 1800, this had become entirely impracticable.
The American lives even more for his goals, for the future, than the European. Life for him is always becoming, never being.
There is so much division in this world. So what is really the path of healing? It can begin in this moment, by embracing the life that's here.
...it was always our view that in order to attain this [proletarian revolution] and the other far more important aims of the future social revolution, the working class must first take possession of the organised political power of the state and by its aid crush the resistance of the capitalist class and organise society anew.
The most moral activity of all is the creation of space for life to move around.
Genteel women suppose that those things do not really exist about which it is impossible to talk in polite company.
Of course I don't believe in it [pointing to horseshoe on his office wall]. But I understand that it brings you luck whether you believe in it or not.
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