EagleWB 10 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 The other post on the two stars got me thinking again and maybe someone here can help me. The Two Stars always stood for Truth and Knowledge And the Outdoors. Why was it changed in the latest edition of the Handbook to just Truth and Knowledge? Link to post Share on other sites
KA6BSA 10 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 How could two stars have stood for three things? Link to post Share on other sites
EagleWB 10 Posted February 27, 2004 Author Share Posted February 27, 2004 I don't know how. If you get any handbook before the latest, the one I have here is the Feb 1979 printing, it says "The two stars symbolize truth and knowledge, and the outdoors in Scouting." It is my understanding that it changed in the latest edition but I could never find out why.(This message has been edited by EagleWB) Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzy Bear 12 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 The stars are located in the skies above one, at night while camping in the out of doors, representing one of the most important methods of the Boy Scouting movement. It is important because that is what most boys enjoy about the program, being outside. The star of Truth is the intangible but ever present direction of one's search in life. The star of Knowledge is one's present educational and emotional location in relation to their search for Truth. The two are not the same and a Scout should be carefully instructed in the differences between the two. Another way to understand it is that both stars are directional in educational attainment and attitude and not something that we can grasp by simply landing on them in a space ship, at least we cannot presently do that and even if we could the idea of direction in life is very important. Wheeler presupposes that he knows the Truth and is confused on this very issue. It is the reason he writes volumes about things that seem to him to be the truth when in reality it is knowledge. Thinking you know the Truth allows one to believe that they are continuously correct and many times allows for an attitude of arrogance. If you correctly understand that it is knowledge that you possess, then your attitude can be one of openness to new information that will continually enlighten one to the Truth. To do otherwise, is to subjugate one's mind to preconceived ideas based on the belief that they have somehow captured Truth. This is the principle that if those like Wheeler correctly understood would change their direction in life to one of humility and thankfulness for the Truth and for the Knowledge that we presently have of the Truth. FB Link to post Share on other sites
Be_Prepared 10 Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 In the BSA, they've almost always just been truth and knowledge, with a little outdoors thrown in for good measure. Initially the fleur-de-lis was chosen as the scout sign. Since a plain fleur-de-lis cannot be copyrighted ( much the same way a plain triangle or square cannot ) two stars were added. These were initially described as "the two eyes of the wolf cub, having been opened before he became a scout." The trefoil ( fleur-de-lis ) is the mariner's compass sign of the North - showing the true way. The BSA added the shield and eagle, and the stars were initially described as being the scouts guide by night, symbolizing the ideals of light, truth and knowledge - which are fundamental in the Scout Movement In the late 30's - 40's the stars were designated to symbolize the ideals of truth and knowledge, which are foundations of strong Scout citizenship. They guide the scout by night, and symbolize the great open, wondrous out-of-doors. By the 60's they symbolized the ideals of truth and knowledge of the Scout movement, and suggested a Scout's outdoor life. In the 70's - they were still truth and knowledge, but they 'reminded' you of the outdoors. By the 80's the two stars symbolized truth and knowledge, and the outdoors in scouting. Now, we're back to just Truth and Knowledge, since there are just two stars. The outdoors was always there, just as an overall reminder, or suggestion. Link to post Share on other sites
WHEELER 10 Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 Notice how Fuzzy Bear does not quote a single thing. It is just like Ayn Rand has said. He has done no research. He references nobody. It is ALL HIS OPINION. How can opinion be truth? It is not. As regards to openness, Socrates: "Truthfulness will never intentionally receive into their mind falsehood, which is their detestation, and they will love the truth." Republic, Jowett, sec 485; pg 216-7 Socrates "And will the love of a lie be any part of a philosopher's nature? Will he not utterly hate a lie? Reply: He will. Socrates: And when truth is the captain, we cannot suspect any evil of the band which he leads? Reply: Impossible. (Ibid, sec 490; pg 223) Link to post Share on other sites
EagleWB 10 Posted February 28, 2004 Author Share Posted February 28, 2004 Be_Prepared Thank you. Link to post Share on other sites
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