Pravica do javne rabe uma / Is public use of intellect out of fashion?

Občutek t. i. krize vrednot oziroma povečane neetičnosti v medosebnih odnosih gre verjetno vsaj deloma pripisati negotovosti, ki je skorajda zaščitni znak današnjega časa. Začaran krog negotovosti se samo krepi z nenehnim moraliziranjem, pogosto zasnovanem na javnem mnenju in ne na dejstvih, znanju, poznavanju stvari. Kar samo se ponuja vprašanje, kako to, da se ni moč izviti iz tega primeža. Morda je moč enega od možnih odgovorov iskati v tezi, da moralna in intelektualna odličnost v današnjem času preprosto nista več vrlini, da javna raba uma ni več v »modi«, še posebej ne pri urejanju javnih zadev. Relativizacija potrebe po rabi uma, po moralni in intelektualni odličnosti zagotovo zadeva temelje formalnega izobraževanja. To je bilo konec koncev organizirano (v določenem delu celo kot obvezno) ravno ob predpostavki, da sodoben človek brez znanja in vrlin v kompleksni družbi preprosto ne more delovati. ---- Feeling of so called crisis of values or feelings of increased unethical behaviour in interpersonal relationship is due to uncertainty which is almost trademark of the present time. Vicious circle of uncertainty is strengthened by constant moralisation based on public opinion instead on facts, knowledge and understanding. How is it possible that we are not capable to get out this circle? One of possible answers is that moral and intellectual excellence is not virtue any more and that public use of intellect is out of fashion, especially in public affairs. Relativization of need of use of intellect, moral and intellectual excellence is of the fundamental importance of formal education. Finally formal education has been organised on the hypothesis that one cannot take an active part in modern complex society without knowledge and virtue.