Who Is a Teacher?

No person can force a change in the beliefs of another, even the belief that another has in his own omniscience. 48 The best that can be done - in fact, all that can be done - is to submit new evidence, new data, new reasoning, and hope that one's reputation for integrity and intelli gence is such that the evidence will be considered. It is the student, the one with the receiving set, who does the "tuning in," not the broadcaster. Thus, influence on others in the area of extending understanding is extremely lim ited. I need no more proof of these limited possibilities than to examine the manner in which others influence me. In Search of Understanding The road to influence as it relates to the creative task of advancing an understanding of liberty is self-improve ment. It rests on one's role as a student. As one advances in his own understanding and succeeds in out-distancing others, those out-distanced - at least those with a spirit of inquiry, the only ones who really matter, the teachable - will come in search of the understanding they do not yet possess. To the extent that one's understanding is thus sought, and only to this extent, can one be considered a teacher; only to this extent can one be said to be a person of influence in this area.