Thanks for bringing this up. I believe it not to be a pillar, but the very foundation. The four pillars will fall unless based on private property rights.
I would go further is say that property rights IS law and order as it is up to the charge of the property owner to see fit how they manage their settlement be it their home or their business.
Individual and corporate morality are more important than law and order. Without morality, law and order cannot rightly exist. Without morality to guide in the making of laws, all kinds of draconian, abusive, and anti-liberty laws may be passed and enforced most arbitrarily. We see this today in selective prosecutions of political enemies or friends. The American Revolution and the founding of America did not happen in a vacuum. The First Great Awakening, a Christian spiritual revival swept America in the 1730s and 1740s immediately before. At a time when "religion" was synonymous with Christianity (because there were hardly anyone in America at that time of another religion), Washington stated: "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." At a time of spiritual rot in America, here we are.
Yes, excellent point. James Madison famously wrote in Federalist Paper No. 51, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Conversely, if all men were evil or immoral, no government would be sufficient.
"...an accountable judiciary..." That is profoundly true. If you have honest judges, the only kind of law you need is common law, which originates organically in the interactions of the people.
(Very much thanks for the link to the song. Fantastic!)
One of the main ingredients in all of these current problems is the loss of God. If there is no higher law, if the universe came about by accident, and we evolved from lower life forms in a purposeless universe, then there is no law in the cosmos, and over time law disintegrates in society as well, which is what we are seeing now.
Which is why both the Communists and Nazis killed millions of people. If people are nothing more than a random collection of cells, murder loses its evil. We are seeing this today with judges handing down light sentences for the most heinous of crimes. Once it is forgotten that each individual is made by God, and crimes against them deserve swift and righteous judgement, everything in society eventually unravels. Eventually, government tries to usurp God.
One of the main ingredients in all of these current problems is the loss of God. If there is no higher law, if the universe came about by accident, and we evolved from lower life forms in a purposeless universe, then there is no law in the cosmos, and over time law disintegrates in society as well, which is what we are seeing now.
Whether a god made the universe and its laws and gave man his nature or not, the laws of the universe and the nature of man provide rational reason for morality. The problem with maintaining morality is that too few men make the reasoned effort to achieve a moral life. Some will strive for a minimally moral life out of a fear of a god. Some will not see evidence for a god and will not strive for a moral life for want both of reasoned effort and fear of a god. Furthermore, those who believe in a god or gods, frequently have very different ideas of the nature of that god or gods. Their morality is highly dependent upon the nature they attribute to their god, which is much more in question than is the law of nature and the nature of man.
[“Whether a god made the universe and its laws and gave man his nature or not, the laws of the universe and the nature of man provide rational reason for morality.”]
What basis for morality is there in the laws of the universe? Physics, chemistry, astronomy, math, biology, they do not provide any basis for moral judgments whatever.
Without God, ethics become merely human inventions, nothing more.
[“The problem with maintaining morality is that too few men make the reasoned effort to achieve a moral life.”]
And why is it that so few make a real effort to do what should be so obviously important to everyone? Is it because so many people are selfish, ignorant, and morally lazy on deeper levels (while well informed and active when it comes to more superficial things)?
Some are so conceited as to think that the rules of morality are identical to their own personal preferences, and hence require no deep thought or soul searching. They think that all they have to do is follow their own desires, because there is no higher law (of course staying out of jail and not being hated by other people are also desires that have to be followed).
[“Some will strive for a minimally moral life out of a fear of a god. Some will not see evidence for a god and will not strive for a moral life for want both of reasoned effort and fear of a god.”]
Some people strive for a moral life because as creatures made in the image of God we have a conscience, some idea of right and wrong. Other people strive for a moral life out of a love of God, and a sincere desire to follow God’s teachings as they know it is right and good – not just out of fear.
[“Furthermore, those who believe in a god or gods, frequently have very different ideas of the nature of that god or gods. Their morality is highly dependent upon the nature they attribute to their god, which is much more in question than is the law of nature and the nature of man.”]
True, people have different ideas of God, but the sincere belief that we will stand before him and have to give an account for our lives is a powerful incentive to at least make an effort and think more carefully about who we are and what we say and do. And, if someone has an opportunity to steal my car but does not because he is afraid God would not like it, that is not the best motive but it is still preferable to having my car stolen.
The nature of God is as you say very much in question, but our ignorance does not nullify his existence. For most of human history – until very recently in fact – people had no idea how the sun worked. Most people even today do not know how it works, unless they have studied nuclear physics. Yet, in spite of our ignorance we can benefit from the sun and walk in its light.
About the laws of nature, they are very well known, but have nothing to do with the nature of man (I consider Darwinism to be a theory, an unproven theory, and not a natural law).
The nature of man is still very much in question. Are we direct creations of God with spiritual souls that survive the death of the body, or are we only highly complex machines that came into being as a result of some cosmic accidents? Some scientists might like to claim that this is a settled question but that is not the case.
Are there any philosophers you are particularly interested in?
You nailed it with “date the start to the Progressive era a century ago, when totalitarian socialism gained the upper hand by making a devil's bargain with liberal democracy: give us control and we will let you sit on the throne. “
Woodrow Wilson started the ball down the hill & it’s gained momentum every decade.
Plus...anytime you quote anything from Tucker Carlson as fact. You’ve already lost your way. Tucker is a terrible hack who’s diamond encrusted silver spoon and privilege created an awful human being without empathy or love for anyone other than his own filth. He’s a terrible person inside and out.
Well done, though I would value meritocracy somewhat more highly. The authoritarians fear rational and educated individuals, so they always insist on dumbing down the education system and de-valuing youth of merit. The pursuit of merit is discouraged from early childhood on. This then increases the authority of those already in authority and decreases the likelihood of any future challenge to their authority. The people who would be free, need the educated meritocracy in order to use freedom of speech to organize a rebellion against the authoritarians. The educated meritocracy are also needed to maintain freedom once it is attained. Meritocracy is vital for much more than prosperity, unless you include our freedom to manage our own lives as the most important aspect of our prosperity.
Oh Jesus. This is like a high school essay. I would suggest thought is required before writing pieces worth considering,
When those who can do this (not you) have done this, you as a wordsmith, assemble this wisdom to all. That is the role of a writer, an honorable one in our culture, but far overscribed today.
I agree. Because of the Fall and original sin there is evil in every form of society. However, when enough people believe in them, the teachings of God, a day of judgment, heaven, hell, the teachings of Christ, they do make a difference. They are light, salt and leaven and mitigate and restrain the world's evils - not to bring paradise on earth, but to restrain evil. Now that those things are disappearing we see the results all around us. America was never a perfect country, but what we are now headed for is something far worse.
Please add your references. It would help boost legitimacy. Otherwise this article is truly a bunch of scare tactic nonsense with very little content. “The sky is falling because of the bad people, that aren’t us and death and gloom and the dark ages are just around the corner because of other people....that aren’t us”. Is truly just a hit peace on whomever you want to deem as the others, the enemy.
Not very substantive. It flowery language which bubbles hatred to the surface and calls itself pretty.
This is a good list, but I believe one pillar is missing: property rights. The WEF is going after that one too: "[by 2030] You will own nothing..."
Thanks for bringing this up. I believe it not to be a pillar, but the very foundation. The four pillars will fall unless based on private property rights.
Property rights would be under law and order but I agree it should be its own pillar.
The attack is by design. Because it comes from people who lack merit.
The one we add to that list is property rights. You could say it falls in Law and Order.
But critical, either way.
Affordable, abundant, reliable, on-demand is how we like to describe the "Energy" piece.
Well done!
I would go further is say that property rights IS law and order as it is up to the charge of the property owner to see fit how they manage their settlement be it their home or their business.
Fundamental. Agreed.
Individual and corporate morality are more important than law and order. Without morality, law and order cannot rightly exist. Without morality to guide in the making of laws, all kinds of draconian, abusive, and anti-liberty laws may be passed and enforced most arbitrarily. We see this today in selective prosecutions of political enemies or friends. The American Revolution and the founding of America did not happen in a vacuum. The First Great Awakening, a Christian spiritual revival swept America in the 1730s and 1740s immediately before. At a time when "religion" was synonymous with Christianity (because there were hardly anyone in America at that time of another religion), Washington stated: "Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle." At a time of spiritual rot in America, here we are.
Yes, excellent point. James Madison famously wrote in Federalist Paper No. 51, "If men were angels, no government would be necessary." Conversely, if all men were evil or immoral, no government would be sufficient.
Absolutely agree. Peace and Order are downstream of morality. Law is simply a means to codify morality which is easily corruptible.
This song probably explains my point better https://youtu.be/bvC_Q6GCjTs
Beyond the 10 commandments and an accountable judiciary we don't need more Law.
"...an accountable judiciary..." That is profoundly true. If you have honest judges, the only kind of law you need is common law, which originates organically in the interactions of the people.
(Very much thanks for the link to the song. Fantastic!)
One of the main ingredients in all of these current problems is the loss of God. If there is no higher law, if the universe came about by accident, and we evolved from lower life forms in a purposeless universe, then there is no law in the cosmos, and over time law disintegrates in society as well, which is what we are seeing now.
Which is why both the Communists and Nazis killed millions of people. If people are nothing more than a random collection of cells, murder loses its evil. We are seeing this today with judges handing down light sentences for the most heinous of crimes. Once it is forgotten that each individual is made by God, and crimes against them deserve swift and righteous judgement, everything in society eventually unravels. Eventually, government tries to usurp God.
One of the main ingredients in all of these current problems is the loss of God. If there is no higher law, if the universe came about by accident, and we evolved from lower life forms in a purposeless universe, then there is no law in the cosmos, and over time law disintegrates in society as well, which is what we are seeing now.
Whether a god made the universe and its laws and gave man his nature or not, the laws of the universe and the nature of man provide rational reason for morality. The problem with maintaining morality is that too few men make the reasoned effort to achieve a moral life. Some will strive for a minimally moral life out of a fear of a god. Some will not see evidence for a god and will not strive for a moral life for want both of reasoned effort and fear of a god. Furthermore, those who believe in a god or gods, frequently have very different ideas of the nature of that god or gods. Their morality is highly dependent upon the nature they attribute to their god, which is much more in question than is the law of nature and the nature of man.
[“Whether a god made the universe and its laws and gave man his nature or not, the laws of the universe and the nature of man provide rational reason for morality.”]
What basis for morality is there in the laws of the universe? Physics, chemistry, astronomy, math, biology, they do not provide any basis for moral judgments whatever.
Without God, ethics become merely human inventions, nothing more.
[“The problem with maintaining morality is that too few men make the reasoned effort to achieve a moral life.”]
And why is it that so few make a real effort to do what should be so obviously important to everyone? Is it because so many people are selfish, ignorant, and morally lazy on deeper levels (while well informed and active when it comes to more superficial things)?
Some are so conceited as to think that the rules of morality are identical to their own personal preferences, and hence require no deep thought or soul searching. They think that all they have to do is follow their own desires, because there is no higher law (of course staying out of jail and not being hated by other people are also desires that have to be followed).
[“Some will strive for a minimally moral life out of a fear of a god. Some will not see evidence for a god and will not strive for a moral life for want both of reasoned effort and fear of a god.”]
Some people strive for a moral life because as creatures made in the image of God we have a conscience, some idea of right and wrong. Other people strive for a moral life out of a love of God, and a sincere desire to follow God’s teachings as they know it is right and good – not just out of fear.
[“Furthermore, those who believe in a god or gods, frequently have very different ideas of the nature of that god or gods. Their morality is highly dependent upon the nature they attribute to their god, which is much more in question than is the law of nature and the nature of man.”]
True, people have different ideas of God, but the sincere belief that we will stand before him and have to give an account for our lives is a powerful incentive to at least make an effort and think more carefully about who we are and what we say and do. And, if someone has an opportunity to steal my car but does not because he is afraid God would not like it, that is not the best motive but it is still preferable to having my car stolen.
The nature of God is as you say very much in question, but our ignorance does not nullify his existence. For most of human history – until very recently in fact – people had no idea how the sun worked. Most people even today do not know how it works, unless they have studied nuclear physics. Yet, in spite of our ignorance we can benefit from the sun and walk in its light.
About the laws of nature, they are very well known, but have nothing to do with the nature of man (I consider Darwinism to be a theory, an unproven theory, and not a natural law).
The nature of man is still very much in question. Are we direct creations of God with spiritual souls that survive the death of the body, or are we only highly complex machines that came into being as a result of some cosmic accidents? Some scientists might like to claim that this is a settled question but that is not the case.
Are there any philosophers you are particularly interested in?
You nailed it with “date the start to the Progressive era a century ago, when totalitarian socialism gained the upper hand by making a devil's bargain with liberal democracy: give us control and we will let you sit on the throne. “
Woodrow Wilson started the ball down the hill & it’s gained momentum every decade.
Thank you. Indeed, I enjoyed reading. And again it is food for thought also.
Plus...anytime you quote anything from Tucker Carlson as fact. You’ve already lost your way. Tucker is a terrible hack who’s diamond encrusted silver spoon and privilege created an awful human being without empathy or love for anyone other than his own filth. He’s a terrible person inside and out.
Your envy is not empathy, and the collectivism it midwifes is not compassion.
Which specific claim in the article are you disputing?
Or is this simply a case of, "all the cool kinds told me Carlson was icky and I don't want to be associated with him".
Slight mistake on the 1300s, but other than that a great article. Well-done.
Well done, though I would value meritocracy somewhat more highly. The authoritarians fear rational and educated individuals, so they always insist on dumbing down the education system and de-valuing youth of merit. The pursuit of merit is discouraged from early childhood on. This then increases the authority of those already in authority and decreases the likelihood of any future challenge to their authority. The people who would be free, need the educated meritocracy in order to use freedom of speech to organize a rebellion against the authoritarians. The educated meritocracy are also needed to maintain freedom once it is attained. Meritocracy is vital for much more than prosperity, unless you include our freedom to manage our own lives as the most important aspect of our prosperity.
Brilliant summation. Timely.
Oh Jesus. This is like a high school essay. I would suggest thought is required before writing pieces worth considering,
When those who can do this (not you) have done this, you as a wordsmith, assemble this wisdom to all. That is the role of a writer, an honorable one in our culture, but far overscribed today.
Substitute 'Justice' for 'Law & Order' (a euphemism for power and control) and the description of genuine civilization would be more accurate.
I agree. Because of the Fall and original sin there is evil in every form of society. However, when enough people believe in them, the teachings of God, a day of judgment, heaven, hell, the teachings of Christ, they do make a difference. They are light, salt and leaven and mitigate and restrain the world's evils - not to bring paradise on earth, but to restrain evil. Now that those things are disappearing we see the results all around us. America was never a perfect country, but what we are now headed for is something far worse.
I am glad to see that government is not a pillar. In fact, it's an anti-pillar.
Oops...
Looks like a curated comments board. The author doesn't like dissent.
Please add your references. It would help boost legitimacy. Otherwise this article is truly a bunch of scare tactic nonsense with very little content. “The sky is falling because of the bad people, that aren’t us and death and gloom and the dark ages are just around the corner because of other people....that aren’t us”. Is truly just a hit peace on whomever you want to deem as the others, the enemy.
Not very substantive. It flowery language which bubbles hatred to the surface and calls itself pretty.