(H1) I found a topic discussed in Russell’s A History of Western Philosophy highly
interesting. Russel speaks of how,
time and time again in history, when traditional moral restraints disappear the
people are freed from subjective views on their personal morality, this leads
to anarchy, politically, and socially, which, historically, led to subjugation.
On the flip side of the coin, overly zealous and stringent religious tradition
brings ossification. Death of the individual and science are ensue shortly
after.
Russell’s
observation on the conflict between religion and secular are astute and I think
they may be applicable, maybe even prophetical, in today’s society. Much like a
pendulum, the shift of focus from overzealous tradition to moderation to anarchist
individualism swung through America. In the beginning the pilgrims had
extremely strong religious ceremonial beliefs, but as our nation grew, more people
with more ideas came. In 1776 great men of different theological beliefs came
together to spark a political rebellion fought by the sword and pen. The
perfect theological, yet skeptical era was in full swing, and it showed in the
fruits of their labors. The United States of America rose to the top, all while
swinging lightly toward freedom and self-indulgence, pushing tradition aside.
Today, American politics are seen
as ridiculous worldwide. The Republican nominee for president is a lifelong
democrat, running a campaign solely based on anger and restoring American
tradition. While the Democratic nominee for president has been condemned and
nearly convicted of sharing government secrets, and has had her hand in many
shady political scandals. One would think we are in that state of Machiavellian
politics that Russel explicitly speaks about, swinging dangerously close to
anarchy and subjugation. Its even plausible that the tensions growing in the
Middle East may culminate, creating a real adversary, in the event of an
unfavorable political move by the American people, caused by the unstable political
state, causing worldwide distress, and forcing many changes that would strip
the individual right, bringing us back to the other side of the pendulum.
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