Philosophical musings on Quanta & Qualia; Materialism & Spiritualism; Science & Religion; Pragmatism & Idealism, etc.
It takes two wings to fly
Post 57.November 15, 2018 continued . . . .
The Human Dilemma The BothAnd Solution
shermer seems to equate Peterson's "archetypal” theory of truth4 with the Fascist faith in a myth of human progress as directed by visionary heroic leaders ─ such as Hitler, Mussolini, and Trump? Although the article was not that blunt, the impli-cation of a right-ward slant is obvious considering Peterson's specifically stated concerns about "radical left-wing ideologues", and their politically-correct speech censorship. But, as a middle-of-the-road moderate, Shermer is just as worried about extreme right-wing partisans, including Neo-Nazis and Aryan Nationalists. Like him, I feel that the current poisonous polar-ization of political & religious views in the Western world is in need of an antidote. Toward that end, the BothAnd principle is my personal proposal for a peaceful path mediating between those staked-out by the egregious extremists. Rather than being forced by codes of honor to fight for one side or the other, the principle of Complementarity searches for higher ground in neutral territory.
Liberal and Conservative stances on political and religious matters are found in various forms throughout history. But those antithetical belief systems tend to alternate in their sway over human cultures5. For example, in the US, the progressive secular Liberalism of the founding fathers, with its vibrant optimistic outlook on the future, has resulted in a technology-fueled ascent from exploited colony to world-dominating society in just ten generations. Ironically, the “Future Shock” from that rapid roller-coaster ride seems to have caused a rebound-effect of reversion to the same kind of religious royalist conservatism that characterized the ancien regime that the colonies rebelled against. Such venerable rule from the top down, tends to dominate with military power instead of technological prowess, with intimidation rather than trading. And the cycle typically ends with revolution instead of evolution.
Therefore, just as natural evolution has its ups & downs, cultural evolution has its progressions & regressions. And the “rules for life” may have to adapt to changing circumstances. Liberal rules are suitable for eras of abundant resources and few things to fear. A more cautious Conservative approach may be better for times of scarcity and anxiety6. But usually, the challenges of the social environment are not so extreme, and can be met with more moderate measures. For these times of religious & political turmoil though, Jordan Peterson advises men to “toughen up” and take control of the situation, even as the bleeding hearts are admonishing sensitive types to “lighten up” and “let-it-be”. Peterson's "rules" seem to require a strong ruler, while permissive progressives prefer power to the people.
Apparently, Conservatives think the effects of Liberal policies have caused a descent into cultural Chaos, which will require a dramatic course reversal to rectify the damage done by too much democracy7. In the decades following the First World War, Germany was in a state of social & economic anarchy. So it seemed to their leaders that a strong man with a strong vision and harsh measures would be necessary to pull them back from the brink of the abyss. We now know how well that Nationalist “Make Germany Great Again” vision turned out, and the stateless Utopia of the Communists likewise8. From that history lesson in mutual intolerance we should learn to avoid intra- and inter-cultural Polarization, and instead seek for more moderate and peaceful solutions to cross-eyed visions of Paradise.
End of Post 57
UTOPIA
Sir Thomas More, a pious Christian ascetic, who wore a hair shirt under his clothes, once described himself as a “Christian Humanist”. His socio-political satire of 16th century England compared its repressive politics with a fictional ideal society, Utopia (lit. no-place) modeled on Amerigo Vespucci’s reports of the idyllic lives of the natives of the New World. “Since their life is so entirely given over to pleasure, I should style it Epicurean.” A strange choice of “styles” for a puritanical hairshirt to advocate. His indictment of England described “a land where noblemen, living idly off the labor of others, bleed their tenants white . . . Throw untold thousands of poor people into an existence of starvation or crime . . .” By contrast, “The Utopians are inclined to believe “that no kind of pleasure is forbidden, provided no harm comes of it.” And their behavior is not merely a matter of custom; it is a philosophical position.” [ The Swerve, by Steven Greenblatt ]
Which of our modern American political philosophies sounds closer to Utopia : Liberal, Conservative, or Libertarian?
4. Archetypal Themes : Themes are presumed to embody deeper truths behind superficial symbols.
Archetypal Truths = universal patterns; broad but vague. Scientific Truths = specific facts; narrow & exclusive Subjective Truths = what works for me; including fictions. Objective Truths = what works for all of us; facts only.
8. Opposing solutions to Chaos : The National Socialists, disgusted with liberalizing & globalizing trends, glorified the good old days of the Holy Roman Empire : the Second Reich. Their regal dream was frustrated by a global alliance of pragmatic moderates. The Marxist Communists looked forward to a new wave of power to the people in a nation of equals. Their dream foundered due to ideological leaders and unmotivated workers.
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