A person is not a democrat thanks to his ignorance of literature and the arts, nor an elitist because he or she has cultivated them. The possession of knowledge makes for unjust power over others only if used for that very purpose: a physician or lawyer or clergyman can exploit or humiliate others, or he can be a humanitarian and a benefactor. In any case, it is absurd to conjure up behind anybody who exploits his educated status the existence of an 'elite' scheming to oppress the rest of us.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Knowledge alone does not make someone an elitist; it depends on how it is used.
- In plain terms
- Having knowledge does not make you better than others unless you use it that way.
- What can you take from it?
- Use your knowledge to help others instead of dominating them.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do we use knowledge ethically?
- Does education lead to elitism?
Another view
Knowledge can unintentionally create power imbalances even with good intentions.
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