Latest posts by Hans Blokland (see all)
- German bureaucracy in the integration of newcomers and how it can be reduced. - July 9, 2025
- Citizens’ dialogue in Paulinenaue once again well attended: the requirement to justify positions rationally is what unites us Europeans. - June 25, 2025
- New BAMF project launched by SSW: Building bridges, volunteering for migrants and against discrimination - June 19, 2025
Our citizens’ dialogue in Paulinenaue (Brandenburg) on June 22 focused on the question of what (still) unites us at a time when divisions seem to be growing endlessly. As usual, the dialogue began with a thought-provoking impulse. The thesis was that what has connected us Europeans since the Enlightenment, or should connect us, is respect for truth, truthfulness, or sincerity. This is not about us believing we know what the truth is, a truth that is universal and infinite. It is about us expecting people to justify their positions by arguing rationally, sincerely, and truthfully.
Underlying values such as democracy, freedom, equality, brotherhood, and respect, values that are generally seen as guiding principles in European culture, is this requirement for (logical or empirical) justification.
So when someone argues, for example, that he or she wishes to treat a certain group of people differently, unequally, we demand that this be justified. If equals must be treated equally and unequals unequally, when is someone unequal? When women do not have the right to vote, or are not allowed to pursue higher education, or cannot hold higher social positions, we are bound to ask: why is that? Do women have different brains, are they less intelligent, do they lack certain qualities to be able to take on leadership positions? Why is that? If they are less present at the top of organizations today, are there perhaps other reasons or causes for this than the assumed lesser capacity for leadership?
Another example: democracy. Within a democracy, one could define, every citizen has the right to influence decisions that affect him or her. However, one could object: why should everyone be allowed to have a say and make decisions? Aren’t there experts? But then we ask again: What exactly is an expert and how far does his or her expertise extend? Can an economist, based on his expertise, choose between economic growth and environmental protection? Or between unemployment and inflation? Can a physicist, on the basis of his expertise, decide how much risk associated with nuclear power plants is acceptable? Can a doctor, on the basis of his expertise, choose more hospitals and fewer schools or less defense? Restricting the right of citizens to participate in decision-making must therefore be justified, and appealing to expertise is not always appropriate.
The point is: we demand justifications, rational arguments, and we also demand integrity in these arguments. People should not have hidden agendas, they should be open about their assumptions, open to better arguments, not manipulate, and not resort to tricks to prove their point.
Let us now translate this to the present reality. What probably upsets us most about Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, or Geert Wilders is the absence of honest, rational argumentation. Of respect for truth. Everything has become manipulation and a question of power. In general, there is perhaps less and less respect for truth and knowledge in our society, and the rise of these types of politicians is an expression of this. The spread and influence of social media have probably played a major role in this. There are no longer any editors to separate sense from nonsense. Everyone can express an opinion, no one is asked to justify this opinion, all opinions are equal.
This dwindling respect for truth is a fundamental threat to our culture, as this respect forms the core of our culture.
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After this statement, as always in Paulinenaue, a lively discussion ensued, in which many perspectives and considerations were exchanged. Coffee and cake were also served. Previously, there had been discussions on topics such as doubt, prejudice, and loneliness. If you would like to participate, our next meeting will take place on July 20 at 3 p.m. sharp in the (multifunctional) village church (Waldstraße 33; 14641 Paulinenaue).
