There are times when I fail to see the value of isolationism. Or maybe more so that I lose sight of my socialization, in favor of what "feels" right, versus what strikes me as wrong. Every smile that goes unreturned, each gaze that is not held. I stand and wait for the bus; when I speak all ignore me. I board the bus, where all are silent, keeping to themselves, looking downward or out the windows. We exit the bus and all walk quietly alone towards our classes. Waiting for the class to begin, more of the same: silence. Often, I feel a sort of isolation, even among large groups of people. They are scared. Afraid to be themselves, to show any qualities that might prove to be different, extraordinary, unique. We socially condemn those who we consider "outsiders," yet we offer scant welcome by way of encouraging them to be otherwise. The perpetuation of selfishness as a philosophical tenant confuses me.
I have often said: 'In this life; it is important to make yourself happy, without hurting others.' This has been a mantra of mine since long before I even knew such a thing as Objectivism existed. And now I learn that certain scholars have come to empirically link laissez-faire capitalism, and free market economy, to objectivist theory!? If you are not familiar with these concepts, just think conservative. Laissez-faire which in French means "let happen," is centered around the belief that:
"The state has no responsibility to engage in intervention to maintain a desired wealth distribution or to create a welfare state to protect people from poverty, instead relying on charity and the market system. Laissez-faire also embodies the notion that a government should not be in the business of granting privileges." ~ (lifted from Wikipedia)And yet, this ideology has been associated with Libertarianism as well. Such that, when one really takes the time to investigate these theories, one truth emerges: there are no sides, no teams, and any sense you might have of there being a bi-partisan system of government within the United States is purely delusional. A song and dance, a dog and pony show, no more no less. They identify themselves as being members of different teams, but both sides are playing the same game! Capitalism.
The real victim in all of this is Objectivism. It has been so twisted and distorted that one is hard pressed to understand the original meaning. This neo-objectivism would be enough to have the great John Locke turning in his grave if he were to witness what has become of his ideas. Not to mention Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who I am quite certain did not intend for Western society to erode to such a morally desolate wasteland when he created his social contract theory.
"Man is born free, and everywhere he is in chains. One man thinks himself the master of others, but remains more of a slave than they." Rousseau claimed that the state of nature was a primitive condition without law or morality, which human beings left for the benefits and necessity of cooperation. As society developed, division of labour and private property required the human race to adopt institutions of law. In the degenerate phase of society, man is prone to be in frequent competition with his fellow men while at the same time becoming increasingly dependent on them. This double pressure threatens both his survival and his freedom. ~ (again borrowed from Wiki)Ok, so here we are. We have laws. Or do we? Seems to me justice serves only the almighty dollar. If you have enough juice, you exist in a state that is above the law.
Recall that when Socrates was sentenced to death for "inciting the youth," he had enough clout that the Athenian magistrates gave him one last chance. They wanted to strike a deal. If only Socrates were to leave Athens and never return, he would be allowed to live. But Socrates did not leave. He refused to do so on the basis of an awareness that were he allowed to leave, after having been condemned to death; this would send the message to the Athenian peoples that the law was not binding, and was not to be respected. In essence, that justice was an illusion.
I don't even know where I am going with any of this at this point. Just what's been on my mind today. As always, your thoughts are appreciated.
12 comments:
But, of course. Modern Conservatism is a mix of Liberal, small government laissez faire and conservative, big government when it comes to social/class issues. Basically the idea of letting a few amass wealth and power while protecting them from the poor masses. Pretty brilliant, especially when you think of the way Republicans make poor people vote for them--by using social issues and big government to divide and create fear.
And it's not a conspiracy theory either. Many Republicans complain about the Party's shift to big government, but the GOP can't back down from that now because they've built a platform of big-government us vs. them.
Where am I going with that? Well, I don't know. But when I worked in the booking station I saw a young mother who was arrested for smoking a joint in her car. They were lenient on her because she worked full time at Giant supermarket. And I asked her, because it was my job, and she told she was making $6 an hour. No insurance, of course. Yet, the law saw fit to harass her while the person in charge of paying her $6 an hour was somehow the good guy.
All those doctrines are really calvinistic mysticism in disguise. Many are called but few are chosen.
Thanks for dropping by my new blog and commenting. I just got home from work and am kind of tired, so I don't know that I can go that deep to respond to this post, but it did remind me of something.
I remember the first time I visited my friend in NYC and we rode the subway. She cautioned me not to look anyone in the eye and to ignore everyone. I think that I probably did, but in general, I tend to always be the one to speak out about something and cannot help but noticing what is going on with the people around me.
PiTs,
Yeah, they are right out there in the open aren't they. Thumbing their noses at the entire world at this point. We no longer have a government of political ideals or social policies, we have instead a board of trustees, glorified bankers that watch over the economy. Stimulates it through pay outs, massages it through illegitimate warfare.
If the United States government was even remotely guided by conscience or moral imperative, the emphasis would most certainly be shifted to education, health care, poverty. But those things cost money, and offer little in return: bad investments. And we all know big government = big business. Corporations are pulling the strings.
Jennifer,
Meaning if God were replaced by {insert random authoritarian policy making elitist}?
I associate Calvinism with Christianity.
Or is the connection that there is little separation between church and state?
Anali,
Glad you wandered over! I know exactly what you mean. Ever had someone tell you, before visiting a big city: "don't look up at the buildings, because people will know your a tourist" ? Similar. There seems to be this idea that the world is out to take advantage of us, do us harm. I just don't buy that. Sure, there are negative elements, but even they have a goodness down deep somewhere. We were all children once.
Dave,
This is a post with a lot of ideas in it, and I don't know that I can crystallize my response to it very easily. Of course, I'm in total agreement with you as always, but it's hard to know where to start trying to get a handle on this issue.
I do think an ideology of extreme individualism has sprung up to serve Capitalism and private property, which is the economic foundation around which all of our laws were erected. Alienation and isolation served the needs of an industrializing society. Pulling people from their connections to land and family and driving them into the big cities where their labor could be better exploited.
It's easiest for the rich and powerful to promote an agenda of ruthless egocentrism because they are the best equipped to survive in that milieu. It's not a philosophy that serves the vast majority very well, however.
A friend gave me a copy of this month's The Sun magazine, in which there is an interview with Miriam Greenspan that I found very insightful. Here is an excerpt I think speaks t