The Washington herald., 1912-05-19
WaY to Gee Understandina.


But there are other reasons why man
should be able to defend his belief or support
his opinion with reasons, when he can make
II prevail without doing so. II for no other
reason he should be able to do this because
II is the best way to get understanding
With the practice Of reasoning his judgment
grows more dependable, his mind and opin-
ions get breadth, and he may discover before
II is too late to correct his error that he
has been wrong.
The whole strength and value OF human
judgment, according to MIL, depends on the
one property that it can be set right when
It is wrong and that reliance only can be
placed upon IT when the means OF setting
# right are kept constantly at hand. In
the case or any person whose judgment is
really deserving OF confidence, how has 1t
become sog Because he has kept his mind
open to criticism OF his opinions and con-
duct. Because It has been his practice to
listen to all that could be said against him;
to profit by as much OF IL as was Just, and
expound TO himself, and upon occasion to
others, the faIlacy OF what was faIIacious.
Because he has felt that the only way a
human being can make some approach TO
knowing the whole OF a subject is by hear
ing what can be said about It by persons OF
every variety OF opinion and studying all
modes in which It can be looked at by every
character OF mind. No wise man ever ac-
quired his wisdom IN any mode but this; nor
is it In the nature Of human intellect TO be-
come wise in any other manner. The steady
habit OF correcting and completing his own
opinion by coIlating it with those OF others.
g. is the only stable foundation for a
just reliance on it,
prove his point as did the sailor OF the story.
who. after telling his marvellous tale in which
a cat was concerned. pointed to this animal
and said. If you don't believe it, there's
the cat" The trained philosopher like Mil
does not believe that facts always tell their
own story, at any rate not all OF It, without
comments to bring out their meaning.
1t is great proof OF his advance in under
standing when a man can without heat, and
in fair argument, put forth reasons for his
opinions. In the case OF a man with but
small understanding, discussion but sets him
the more firmly in his own way OF think
ing. He has too little training to be toIer-
ant, and too little practice in controlling
him self to reason calmly. The man Of I'M
Outstanding can discuss without heat, while
the man uncouth In thinking soon loses his
temper and is ready TO use the only really
effective argument he is thoroughly ac-
quainted with, that OF the strong arm ANY
incorporate discussion rarely helps 10 es-
tablish an opinion and usually argues In
experience in fair and tolerant thinking
It is perfectly natural thing for men to
be intolerant. but with an increase OF I'M
Outstanding they at least realize that almost
any opinion contains a modicum OF truth,
and IS therefore worth listening to; that no
matter what mans course. there may be
some reason for his behavior which II will
do them no harm to consider.
There would be little business for lawyers II
the parties TO a suit would fairly and square
ly and with tolerance reason together. 1t
has been said that he who knows only his
own side OF his case knows little OF that.
The great orator Cicero in preparing his
defenses studied his adversary's case more
than his own.
Suspended Judgment Best.
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