Every one of the popular modern phrases and ideals is a dodge in order to shirk the problem of what is good. We are fond of talking about "liberty"; that, as we talk of it, is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good. We are fond of talking about "progress"; that is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good. We are fond of talking about "education"; that is a dodge to avoid discussing what is good. The modern man says, "Let us leave all these arbitrary standards and embrace liberty." This is, logically rendered, "Let us not decide what is good, but let it be considered good not to decide it." He says, "Away with your old moral formulae; I am for progress." This, logically stated, means, "Let us not settle what is good; but let us settle whether we are getting more of it." He says, "Neither in religion nor morality, my friend, lie the hopes of the race, but in education." This, clearly expressed, means. "We cannot decide what is good, but let us give it to our children."
G. K. Chesterton, 1874-1936, Heretics, Chapter 2, On the Negative Spirit (Barnes & Noble, 2007, p. 13)
Does this really represent our present thinking? How can we avoid falling into it?
I must be a bit denser than usual today but I do not have a clue about what Chesterton is talking about.
ReplyDeleteI admit this one is a bit difficult and maybe it is not as clear as I hoped it would be. But what he is saying is people talk about things like progress and education as the solution to the ills of society without asking what really constitutes progress or what things should people be taught. They say we should work for a better society, but they do not stop to ask what "better" really means. Does that help?
DeleteThanks Mike.
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