Debate: Action under ambiguity

[Sanjeev Sabhlok <sabhlok@almaak.usc.edu>]

For Debate:

Proposed location for inclusion: top of the Action Plan

Material proposed for inclusion:
--------------------------------

"Ambiguity, uncertainty, and inadequate knowledge do not eliminate strong
convictions in political life. Despite the enormous complexity of the
world, behavior is driven by normative convictions and basic principles.
True believers in any 'ideology' are disinclined to attend to events
contradicting their core normative and causal beliefs. Given this harsh
reality, that none of us is truly or completely an objective observer of
life, and that what may appear to be a 'lesson' learnt might actually be
found after a period of time to have been a misinterpretation of facts, or
a distortion of history, human beings have the need to act to 'the best of
their knowledge and beliefs' at any given point of time. 

"It is the belief of this forum that better and better ideas will
continuously emerge from discussion and debate, but that action cannot be
delayed beyond a point as it will amount to a contradiction and a
nullification of the sense of urgency with which this effort was taken up
by many seriously concerned individuals.

"Therefore, while expecting the continuous improvement in the points over
the course of time, the first 'version' of the Manifesto should be
released to the People of India, with a request for adoption by all
political parties and all groups of India, under the signature of those
who believe broadly in the findings of the Manifesto, on the 1st of
January, 2000 AD, containing within it, all modifications and improvements
made till the end of October, 1999."

Put up: for (a) approval of the concept
	    (b) approval of the wording, as usual.

I believe that funds for publishing this Manifesto can be looked into
beginning the middle of 1999, a year from now.

SS

[Note: This will now go up on the Action Plan page: I am now the
"coordinator"  of this topic. Please send mail on this topic directly to
me at sabhlok@indiamail.com and we will debate amongst ourselves and put
up the consensus version and summmary of the debates, for further open
debate, later]