October 06, 2006

The Educated Ignorant

Bad language often leads to bad consequences.
The man who called others evil has ended up by himself being called the devil at the United Nations General Assembly. To quote the Bible: “As you shall sow, so shall you reap” (Galatians 6:7).
President Bush has been notable for using language which is commonly perceived as harsh, loose, and, at times, bordering on profanity. Others in his administration and his inner circle have been quick to follow suit. People tend to emulate the top guy. This was observed, as far back as the 14th Century, by Ibn-e-Khaldun, the founder of sociology: “The ruler dominates those under him; his subjects imitate him . . . exactly as children imitate their parents, or students their teachers.”
One of the salient and sorry features of the 21st century has been the routine use of bad language at the highest level.
Hidden prejudices which were well-masked are now resurfacing with a vengeance. This new injection of venom in expression is fast becoming the characteristic of the new age. The attack on religious belief was normally considered off limits. Not any more.
Ugly rhetoric and hate speech are fast overtaking civil behavior and diplomatic discourse. Predictably then, those holding responsible posts are now prone to make irresponsible utterances.
The biggest casualties in all of this are common human decency and courteous regard for the sensitivity of others. Vulgar expression was associated with and expected from those not fortunate enough to have been exposed to good schooling.
But it has been convincingly demonstrated that ignorance and prejudice, which spur bad behavior, are not the sole monopoly of the uneducated. They can easily fester in the minds of those who have gone to the best schools and colleges and received the finest formal education.
Ignorance and prejudice are not confined merely to the so-called backward villages of the Third World. They flourish in the so-called civilized and sophisticated capitals of the Western world. It shows that one can be materially advanced and still remain mentally primitive.
What, therefore, needs to be done to curb the decline in decency?
First, there has to be a greater exercise of emotional discipline. And, second, a conscious effort has to be made to overcome the temptation to retaliate, despite the heated provocations sparked by clashing viewpoints. The basic human dignity values of decency and class have to be maintained and kept intact.