Is it true that the mind is better than might? Javanese sayings often say so: akal' is better than 'okol', reason is better than brute force. We should use our reason (nalar) in dispute, and not intimidation and violence. Through reason, people can be convinced and will accept our position not through fear.

But a note is called for: two of the Indonesian words for 'reason'-'akal' and 'nalar'-are not completely synonymous. Often the word 'akal' has connotat