"The Blind Men and the Elephant" by John G. Saxe (poetry reading)

This is quoted from a website called "All About Philosophy" -
"In philosophy departments throughout the world, the Blind Men and the Elephant has become the poster child for moral relativism and religious tolerance" and "if we know the Whole Elephant is out there, shouldn't this drive us to open our eyes wider and seek every opportunity to experience more of Him?"
http://www.allaboutphilosophy.org/blind-men-and-the-elephant.htm

After reading this, some philosophical questions sneaked into my mind: "How should the blind feel about it? Or the Hindustanis? If this the Poster Child for Moral Relativism and Religious Tolerance then isn't the way that blind people and Hindustanis are portrayed of particular relevance? Why the capital letter on Him? The poem is about not making presumptions, so why presume that the Elephant is God?"

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Entertainment

Tags:

• Blind
• Men
• Elephant
• Saxe

[Epydemic2020]

The irony of this story is that it is told from the perspective of someone who is not blind.

Everyone who makes truth claims in this story thinks they are able to see the whole truth, including the storyteller.

[NamaSika]

Oh so true...

A tiny piece of our Big Big World! :-)

Thank you for sharing your creation.

[agrlfmtx]

Yep!! T:)

[ARP7777777]

@thallassocracy No, I do not think it is about people who are obviously blind, but those who make themselves blind, because they only see, or only look at, part of the argument, or problem. And in doing so, make themselves the partisan advocates of only part of the solution, if there is one.

[derman077]

I'm showing this to my niece who is 4. I think the multiple opinions expressed in this poem throw people off because most only see two options in any situation. left brain right brain causes many dualities. democrat republican, atheist religious, smart dumb. People, in my opinion, need to realize that there are more than two options. Many many more options. If you are stuck between two decisions, look for a third or meet in the middle.

[TheATHEISTNOW]

I love this preamble...

[bikemessenger7]

@NamaSika Thanks to you my friend for leading me here. love this poem.

[Hallbergrussy]

excellent work!

[thallassocracy]

I think the poem teaches two lessons - neither intended by the author.

First: that - as tree-dwelling primates - we assume 'Sight is Right' and any other sense is at best supplementary (I've never seen the poem offered without an accompanying picture). I wonder what a mole would make of that .

Second: someone with a lesson to impart will cut any corner to get it across. As you suggest, the poem is mainly about laughing at Indians and blind people.

The poem is much improved by your commentary.

[bobnorwal]

this really didn't get me thinking at all...