It took my reading of a few blog entries to come up with some inspiration, but I found it. I knew you all had it in you… thanks. I read that the Cartesian logic was the biggest problem we were unaware of. I thought about this over a beer and almost started to agree. However, when the beer was gone and my focus returned, I think it is best for the society as a whole to label and divide and order things.
I don’t always find that the definitions that are generally accepted by society are appropriate or necessary, but you have to keep in mind the level of thought most people invest in their decision making process and what corrupts the inputs. Having a personal problem with Descartes is not much different to me than having a personal problem with organized religion, government, or society. They all want you in your place (wherever that may be). While I or you may disagree, it is usually not difficult to understand why divisions/labels are formed. Society as a whole needs help, and organization and structure helps it.
Beyond the fact that people in general need all the help they can get (maybe I’ve worked in the service industry for too long), I can’t help but think of our discussion of John the Savage and Brave New World. I was one of few who favored the society over the individual, happiness (even if false or naïve) over truth. If the Cartesian moment is the biggest problem we are unaware of, how can it be harmful? If society is limited in its understanding of truth, but understand their role in it they will be content and productive.
We can know things are incorrect or at times misleading or incomplete, and still understand they are best for the society as a whole.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Because there are aspects innate to reality on both sides of this argument it is easy to be persuaded by the benevolent misconception that society would benefit if mislead for their own good. your logic is sound in that individuals may, aware or not of their ignorance, produce; the flaw in a "forced Utopia" does not rise from the discontent of the people but from the fundamental idea of deception. If the best societal construction had been developed (x), how could it include deception? what would you say? 'we have concluded that the ideal societal construction is (y)!' would you not say anything? then you aren't lying you are forcing the populace to serve? that is not for the greater good. Besides that a lie would never involve itself in such an ideal, I personally believe that since everyone has an entirely unique idea of the perfect society, that the whole utopian civilization idea is itself bunk. In my mind that struggle can only converge to freedom. libertarianism.
ReplyDelete