Speaking truth to power

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/speaking-truth-to-power

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the primary method?Non-violent political tactic against oppressive regimes
2. What is the historical precursors?Hebrew Prophets, Apollonius of Tyana
3. What does it mean to speak truth to power?It means calmly telling grown‑ups or leaders when they are wrong, even if it feels scary. It is a kind of honest protest that tries to fix unfair rules.
4. Why do people do it even when it might be dangerous?Because staying quiet lets bad things happen. Speaking up shows that they care about fairness and want to help others.

Ideocracy: A state governed by a dominant ideology or set of beliefs.
Dissidents: Individuals who oppose official government policy or ideology.
Non-violent Resistance: The practice of achieving goals through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, and other methods, without using violence.