"I yield the floor to Brother Speaker for his presentation!"

No! – brief pause

 My dear brethren. No – I am not disobeying our Worshipful Master's instruction, nor am I refusing to follow his request. Rather, I intended to use this stylistic device to introduce my presentation.

“No.” A small word, yet it carries tremendous impact. How strange and unfamiliar this word often feels to us, as we rarely hear it and even more rarely use it – especially when it concerns our emotions or our actions. And yet, “No” is one of the most fundamental and powerful words available in human communication. It denotes denial, rejection, a boundary being drawn. But what does it truly mean to say “No”? What consequences does this word carry – for the individual, and for society? What ethical, existential, and communicative dimensions does it contain?

Among many things, Freemasonry teaches us not to take on offices, tasks, or responsibilities that we are not prepared for. A daily self-examination. To be conscious of what we commit to, what we accept. What we are willing to stand for – and what we are truly ready to carry. But do we then have the courage to draw the honest conclusion from this examination? Are we honest enough with ourselves to respond with a clear “No”? To others – and more importantly, to ourselves?

Have we internalized the lesson of the First Degree – to know ourselves – deeply enough during this self-reflection? To evaluate our strengths and weaknesses in light of the task offered to us, and to admit to ourselves: “No – I’m not ready for this (yet). I cannot do this (yet).”

Saying “No” clearly, even to others, and speaking plainly is a complex act within the system of language. And within that system, the word “No” holds special significance. It is one of the most fundamental forms of negation, used in nearly every language around the globe. The question of how and why humans say “No” is of interest not only to linguistics but also to philosophy.

From a linguistic perspective, saying “No” is a vital part of communication that serves many functions depending on the context. It primarily acts as a negation – a rejection, a refusal – in response to questions, statements, or suggestions.

The word “No” is inseparably linked to the concept of autonomy. Autonomy – the ability to make our own decisions and act independently – is often regarded as a central aspect of human life. In Western philosophy, autonomy is especially emphasized in the works of Immanuel Kant and later by thinkers like John Rawls. For Kant, the ability to say “No” is a core trait of a moral being. Only those who can free themselves from external compulsion and make their own moral choices can be considered autonomous, moral agents.

Here, “No” is not merely a rejection of a specific situation, but a fundamental expression of moral judgment and self-determination. A person who can say “No” asserts their freedom in the face of external demands. In this view, “No” becomes a symbol of individual autonomy – the ability to draw a line between oneself and the world, in order to uphold one’s own values and beliefs.

A central ethical aspect of “No” lies in its relationship to responsibility and moral decision-making. In ethical theories that focus on duty and responsibility, “No” plays an important role. Saying “No” means taking responsibility for one’s own decision – and its consequences. In some cases, saying “No” is not just a right, but a moral obligation – for instance, when resisting injustice or wrongdoing. In Christian ethics, resistance against unjust authority is often seen as a moral duty, expressed through a courageous “No” to injustice.

References 

Kant, I. (1996). The Metaphysics of Morals (M. Gregor, Trans.). Cambridge University Press. (Original work published 1797)

Rawls, J. (1999). A Theory of Justice (Rev. ed.). Harvard University Press.

Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist’s View of Psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.

Searle, J. R. (1969). Speech Acts: An Essay in the Philosophy of Language. Cambridge University Press.

Wodak, R. (2015). The Politics of Fear: What Right-Wing Populist Discourses Mean. SAGE.

Zimbardo, P. G. (2007). The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil. Random House.

Fromm, E. (1941). Escape from Freedom. Farrar & Rinehart.

The Valley of Columbus is establishing a paver garden in front of the Scottish Rite Center. It will start at the bottom of the steps on both sides of the front porch and extend to the end of each side of the building. It will be similar to the pavers at the Masonic Children's Home in Macon. This is a great opportunity to support the Valley of Columbus Building Fund by purchasing a paver, and to honor those people or organizations that have a special meaning to you (to include yourself!). Complete the order form in this issues of The Ashlar or open in a new window HERE.

As a result of our Power of 3 Program plan to raise $3M in 3 years to provide low- or no-cost intervention to help Georgia children with communication disorders find their ‘voice,’ I asked Ryan Gilliam, the Chief Operating Officer of KNR Therapy, how potential RiteCare donations could be used by KNR Therapy at the Autism Learning Center in Columbus. Below is his response:

“Thank you for considering us for your continued generous support. Below, I have provided detailed information regarding our staff, client numbers, the impact of various donation amounts, and our future growth plans.

Current and Projected Staff and Client Numbers:

• Current Clients: 60

• Current RBTs (Registered Behavior Technicians): 35

• Current BCBAs (Board Certified Behavior Analysts): 7

Projected Numbers in the Next Few Months:

• Clients: 71

• RBTs: 50

• BCBAs: 15

Impact of Donation Amounts:

• $20,000 Donation: This would cover advanced training materials for staff development or specialized toys/equipment for client therapy, allowing more clients to have PECS communication tools and resources.

• $50,000 Donation: Could fund technology upgrades (like tablets for interactive learning) or support a series of parent training workshops, providing essential learning materials or therapy tools for all KNR clients.

• $100,000 Donation: This would significantly contribute towards advanced therapy equipment or furnishing a therapy room (sensory room) to enhance the therapeutic environment. We have a room in the clinic that needs a shower and plumbing removed to repurpose the space for our clients.

Potential Funding Utilization Ideas:

• Supporting Columbus State University's ABA Program: Establishing a chair at Columbus State University to develop an ABA program aligns perfectly with our mission to grow the BCBA population. This initiative will benefit our clinic and the wider community by increasing the availability of qualified professionals.