A Fundamental Choice

The same path that brought our ancestors down from the trees and freed them from the claws of the tiger, ultimately leads to reason, science, just society and freedom.

It is an inescapable fact that we are either moving ahead on that path or we are abandoning principled order, laying down our tools and baring the neck of our children to the predator's teeth.

We need to closely and honestly examine the issues of our day so that we can best determine which direction to take. Otherwise, we may well harm those we would help.



Rational Thought

All manner of animals navigate their environment with greater intimacy and skill than man can achieve, because their bodies are physically adapted to what they see and feel. Man on the other hand perceives things which transcend the senses, the invisible rules governing cause and effect. He does this through rational thought.

If you wanted to drive an old VW Beetle, you would not begin by throwing the keys at the car or tossing them into the air or praying to the car gods, the key would go into the door lock and then the ignition switch. Those steps are required by fact based reality. To follow those steps is thinking and acting rationally. Even if alternate means were used such as lock picking or hot-wiring, those steps would involve no less rational, fact based thought and action.

We rely on rational thought when we get out of bed, eat a meal, handle a cell phone or fly a kite. Good habits are based on rational thought. Everything in life is like that. It is childlike and dangerous to think or behave otherwise.

It is a cold hard fact that for protection from criminals and politicians, a fundamental requirement is knowledgeable, rational thought. Choosing not to use that tool, whether from emotion or prejudice, renders us less effective at recognizing and resisting dangers of all types. That leaves us vulnerable to becoming a slave in one form or another.



Morality

Although rational thought is a pillar of meaningful existence, it alone can not make a better life or a better society. It is like a machine, a neutral thing which can equally serve good or evil. That which makes society most beneficial and agreeable is enlightened morality.

Though there are differing views on morality, one virtually universal ideal is the Golden Rule:

• Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. - The Buddha


• Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself. - Confucius


• What you avoid suffering yourself, seek not to impose on others. - Epictetus


• Love thy neighbor as thyself. - KJV, Leviticus 19:18


• And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. - Jesus

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a secular code adopted by the United Nations in 1948, without a dissenting vote. Article I reflects the Golden Rule and the entire document does a good job of outlining civil morality based on the inalienable, some say God given, rights of man.



Feelings, Intentions and Reality

As with rational thought, emotions are a neutral thing; they can be attached to good or bad. Someone might feel good helping a disabled person, but someone else might feel good about being able to take advantage of him or her.

It is also possible to feel good while ignorantly doing wrong. As a small example, an American shoe brand had a promotion such that when a customer bought a pair of shoes, the company would give a pair away for free in Africa. Customers may have felt good about buying those shoes, but the reality was that many indigenous shoe makers were put out of business. The popular saying is: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

Making good decisions is not an easy thing to do. It requires us to put aside our automatic inclinations, to be open to ideas we might wish to dismiss at first blush, and to examine problems using rational thought and enlightened morality. It requires us to base choices on long term results.

Feelings may suggest where we want to go, but they should never steer the boat.



An Unquiet Silence

In the early 1600's, counter to contemporary scentific consensus and public opinion, Galileo published works affirming the reality that the earth orbited the sun. His rationally derived observations so incensed the powers of his day that he was forced to recant, his works were banned, and he was placed under house arrest for the rest of his life.

This is a common theme throughout history, that reason and truth are often a threat to the powers that be and offensive to an ignorant public. At times violence is used to suppress ideas; witness the large number of journalists murdered around the world (an average of 80 per year over the last two decades). Often more subtle methods are used, such as public shaming or subversive manipulation.

Those who would silence free and informed discussion, join hands with tyrants and war against the foundations of democratic civilization. If citizens can not be trusted to share and evaluate information as they see fit, then the only alternative is to let "authorities" from on high govern discussion, as was the case in Galileo's time.



The Herd

To a cow there is no reason to worry, no reason to think beyond the end of its nose, no reason to question the religion of the grass.

There is food at foot and as long as you don't rub up against the barbed wire, life is good. Sure someone once stapled a tag to your ear, but that was long ago and you don't even notice it now. True, if you are a steer someone once emasculated you, but that too has been forgotten and you can't miss what you have never known.

Why is there any reason to believe someone that talks of horrors no one else in the crowd speaks of; things like a kill floor or a sudden bolt through the brain? To ponder what they speak of is an irritation to contentment.



... more to come ...