Open Ideologies

In response to the first assignment in Seminars’ module 1, to discuss our readings, I was drawn to two of the instructors questions; “What ideologies lie behind the notion that an intellectual must be ‘set apart’ or separate from the public he/she serves?” and; “Is it possible to be a universal intellectual?” These two questions, particularly the ideas of “ideology” and “universality,” started me thinking about the fundamental attributes, traits, or standards, that might exist within not only an intellectual, but intellectualism.

In addition, my own personal interests were in play. I have been, within my professional role, asking my colleagues to take on greater responsibilities, not specifically in day to day operations or tasks, but intellectually. I have asked, “do we do the things we do because we know them to be the best way to achieve our goals, or do we do them because this is the way that we have always done them?” That is, how truthful are we?

With these in mind, a universal standard and truth, I wrote…