Anthropocentrism. It follows from democracy. I think it was inevitable that the Great Apostasy began with the democratization of the West (and later, the rest of the world).
Plato figured it out 2400 years ago. Democratic institutions produce democratic cultures. Democratic cultures are diverse and beautiful on the surface ("the splendor of a many-colored cloak"), but they feed on/respond to the appetites of people. Since the people are in charge (more or less), what they want (easy sensual gratification: lust, greed, envy, intemperance) becomes the fabric of the society. These things are justified by an anthropocentric worldview, where if it is the will/opinion of the people then it is just. Ultimately in democratic societies the people are god, hence the deep anthropocentrism. Notice that Christ and his "narrow way"-- "ascending Mt. Carmel" run counter to the feel-good ethos of democratic cultures. Plato argued that democracies inevitably end in tyrannies. My guess is that the tyranny that finally finishes off the democracies will be the anti-christ (like in Msgr. Benson's classic novel "The Lord of the World").
BTW, all forms of government are deeply flawed--as would be expected in a fallen world--so don't think I'm yearning for the era of aristocracy, monarchy, etc.
We have a democratic culture, though less so by the decade. Culture is what really matters (that's why Plato made his famous comment about 'control the songs a people sing and you'll control the people', and that's why Marxism transitioned to "cultural marxism" a la Gramsci.
Oops, I left out the most interesting part. Plato also argued that democracies inevitably produce relativism since they "empower"/recognize the diverse notions of the good (values) that people have. Hence democratic societies end up as antagonistic to the True, the Good and the Beautiful (that is, God). The above also explains why the Church opposed democratizing ideologies for centuries.
Please comment with charity and avoid ad hominem attacks. I exercise the right to delete comments I find inappropriate. If you use your real name there is a better chance your comment will stay put.
Anthropocentrism. It follows from democracy. I think it was inevitable that the Great Apostasy began with the democratization of the West (and later, the rest of the world).
ReplyDeletePlato figured it out 2400 years ago. Democratic institutions produce democratic cultures. Democratic cultures are diverse and beautiful on the surface ("the splendor of a many-colored cloak"), but they feed on/respond to the appetites of people. Since the people are in charge (more or less), what they want (easy sensual gratification: lust, greed, envy, intemperance) becomes the fabric of the society. These things are justified by an anthropocentric worldview, where if it is the will/opinion of the people then it is just. Ultimately in democratic societies the people are god, hence the deep anthropocentrism. Notice that Christ and his "narrow way"-- "ascending Mt. Carmel" run counter to the feel-good ethos of democratic cultures. Plato argued that democracies inevitably end in tyrannies. My guess is that the tyranny that finally finishes off the democracies will be the anti-christ (like in Msgr. Benson's classic novel "The Lord of the World").
BTW, all forms of government are deeply flawed--as would be expected in a fallen world--so don't think I'm yearning for the era of aristocracy, monarchy, etc.
We live in a constitutional republic.
DeleteWe have a democratic culture, though less so by the decade. Culture is what really matters (that's why Plato made his famous comment about 'control the songs a people sing and you'll control the people', and that's why Marxism transitioned to "cultural marxism" a la Gramsci.
DeleteOops, I left out the most interesting part. Plato also argued that democracies inevitably produce relativism since they "empower"/recognize the diverse notions of the good (values) that people have. Hence democratic societies end up as antagonistic to the True, the Good and the Beautiful (that is, God). The above also explains why the Church opposed democratizing ideologies for centuries.
ReplyDeleteSome days it seems as if the Protestant Reformation has overtaken the Church.
DeleteNow I have the song stuck in my head.
ReplyDelete