Original virtue?
Quote from: Oscar Wilde
Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience and rebellion that progress has been made."
Anyone disagree? Opinions
2007-09-01 06:57:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Well, sure - that's one way to say it. I think I'd say the virtues he means are confidence and individuality, or the willingness to take social risks to think and act on one's own behalf, in one's own interest, rather than meekly seeking to meet the expectations of others. This is a virtue that is balanced by more traditional virtues (that involve consideration of others), as it balances them. I think he says "disobedience" because of the romantic/poetic value of referring to rebellion, which is thought of as youthful.
2007-09-01 07:40:01 · answer #1 · answered by zilmag 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, Oscar.
Pedophiles, rapists, sociopaths and psychopaths all exhibit disobedience and rebellion. Famed quotes are often exclusive of reality.
Ethnic cleansing is also rebellion and disobedience. Hitler and the Holocaust was also disobedience and rebellion.
Al Qaeda is being disobedient and rebellious to local laws and religious customs. Any terrorist is. The Khymer Rouge, The Viet Cong.
Perhaps they all read Wilde.
2007-09-01 14:49:51 · answer #2 · answered by guru 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Disagree. He didn't know 'what is disobedience to one, it is obedience to other'. If he could use 'dissatisfaction with the present' instead of 'disobedience' I would have agreed.
Original virtue is 'desire to progress' which is responsible for progress.
2007-09-02 21:54:44 · answer #3 · answered by sv 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I actually agree with the first answer. If it weren't for curiosity, we would not be disobedient. Look at Adam and Eve. The Serpent played on Eve's curiosity, which led to her disobedience. Adam was also curios, and Wahlah!, he disobeys as well.
2007-09-01 14:08:07 · answer #4 · answered by Nyx 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oscar Wilde was wrong. Curiosity is man's original virtue.
........
Like, "Watcha got under that leaf?"
2007-09-01 14:05:08 · answer #5 · answered by tredbruce138 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't monkeys curious?
Aren't dogs disobedient?
I would say no to both alternatives.
2007-09-01 15:04:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋