Abhandlung über die allgemeine Zusammenkunft der Freymaurer, bei den Gesundbrunnen in Wilhelmsbad

...who understood how to grasp the true and the useful; it would be wiser to entrust the collection of laws to them to ensure they are excellent. This approach is better than calling the entire body together. It spares the group from hearing the absurd proposals of young men like Alcibiades an ambitious and arrogant student of Socrates. These men have the folly to believe they are ready for such great business without first examining themselves. They should be sent to the school of Socrates to learn the limits of their own knowledge. (d)

Suppose we did not use such caution. Suppose we said: "We are forming a free state. Our laws have not been consistent. We do not all share the same goal. We even differ in our outward forms. Let us set a goal. Come! Teach, learn, and make good laws! Weigh your actions carefully! I provide a sketch Aufriss an architectural plan or outline to organize your work. To ensure mutual understanding, we will share our observations." If the purpose of the assembly was to determine the society's goals,

(d) Plato's Dialogues. First Alcibiades. This Socratic dialogue examines the qualifications needed for political leadership and the importance of self-knowledge.

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to determine its goals, to make good laws, and finally to bring everything concerning the association into order, then everyone would work with zeal. This is because promises would be kept. Members would share their views and opinions early enough to decide which path to take. They would accept certain opinions and refute others. Finally, they would select what is just, honest, and useful from the crowd, while rejecting the opposite.

But what if a narrow circle of communication was drawn? If this inner circle finalized everything without sharing the various opinions with the larger circle, whether by design or neglect? In the first case, one could say this is an obvious breach of trust Treue fidelity or loyalty. In the second case, the meeting should be postponed.

Imagine the society is so large that one place cannot hold all members. Or perhaps many members are too busy with business to attend the general assembly. Since every member has a personal right to be present, those who are absent would commission a fellow member to act in their...