Think About It. Dunces, An eternal optimist, I’ve always believed “There’s gotta be a pony in here someplace”. The recent exercise of choosing a President for our United States has led me to believe there is surely a genius in there someplace. Here we are in March of 2017 and some of us still hope. Many of us have solidified our opinions and taken sides so firmly that we dare not discuss the topic in public. Even in the privacy of our own homes it is a delicate subject. What subject? Is there a leader among us capable of comprehending the immense, multifaceted challenge of administering the affairs of these United States, let alone facing the seemingly insuperable issues as “leader of the free world”. On rereading Ambition, a Think essay from 2014, I’m reminded of my opinion of anyone who would consider running for the role. Strange I didn’t mention dunce.
The word itself has a history of mystery, challenge and controversy. People in high places have weighed in on its use and abuse. While the first use of the word was In 1570, the eponymous source lived two centuries earlier. Furthermore John Duns Scotus (just when I connected that acronym to the Supreme Court of the United States) was acknowledged to be one of the world’s great philosophers. When he was no longer available to debate, some sixteenth century humanists strongly disagreed with his thesis on the existence of God. In the process his followers were first called Dunsmen, later Dunses morphing into dunces.
A Franciscan priest at the earliest possible age, Duns died in 1308 and was beatified in 1993, now considered a saint as well as being recognized as one the world’s most eloquent thinkers. All the while having a penchant for tall (pointed?) hats. Have teachers stopped sending boisterous boys to the corner with a dunce cap?
Fast forward to 50 years ago when John Kennedy Toole took his own life, a self-diagnosed failure, before his manic masterpiece won a Pulitzer Prize and millions of dedicated readers. A Confederacy of Dunces can be a great beginning to a conversation, friendship or even marriage. (Ask the Sage and his wife.)
Whether running for the presidency, choosing a marriage partner or writing a great novel, you might want to refer to the quote used by Toole before the title page. On loan from Jonathon Swift, “When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are all in a confederacy against him.” I’ll go along with that definition of Dunces. Think About It.
The beauty in the scripted word can only be compared with that of a gifted orator. Think about that. Loved the article, Bill
Thank you. You are very kind.