Western Disenchantment and the Cost of Separating Faith From Reason

[Fishrrman]

https://www.theepochtimes.com/western-disenchantment-and-the-cost-of-separating-faith-from-reason_3965962.html

Western Disenchantment and the Cost of Separating Faith From Reason
by William Brooks
August 26, 2021

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EXCERPT:
In the late 1970s, an era eerily similar to the one in which we presently find ourselves, American scholar George Gilder argued that the success of democratic-capitalist societies depended on the interconnected virtues of “work, faith, and family.” Gilder and other liberal-conservative thinkers reconnected the link between faith and reason. What followed was a new morning for America and the West, and global developments that freed millions from Soviet tyranny and perpetual serfdom.

Today, among those who are best schooled, best fed, and most powerful, “critical theory” invites the rejection of traditional virtues and the choice of a lifestyle that is fashionable, easy, and “sustainable.” All we’re left with are the capricious desires that a technologically advanced society is equipped to fulfil.

Liberty has become license. Equality is equity. Self-discipline and chastity are prudish. Compassion is reduced to virtue signalling. Hard work is for others. Honesty is seldom the best policy. Patriotism is xenophobia, and faith in God is for rubes who cling to their bibles and their guns.

We suffer from a morbid form of narcissism that leads us to believe we can sit in God-like judgement of others while nothing stands in judgement of ourselves. We accept lectures from social misfits, tolerate corruption of the democratic process, reject leaders who project common sense, and elect fools to govern our civic and national affairs.

The result is a deeply divided society and individual lives that are marked by disenchantment, alienation, and uncertainty. We’ve pursued and achieved the modern dream of defining ourselves—but at an enormous cost.

More at URL above...

[Absalom]

https://www.theepochtimes.com/western-disenchantment-and-the-cost-of-separating-faith-from-reason_3965962.html
Western Disenchantment and the Cost of Separating Faith From Reason by William Brooks, August 26, 202
EXCERPT:
In the late 1970s, an era eerily similar to the one in which we presently find ourselves, American scholar George Gilder argued that the success of democratic-capitalist societies depended on the interconnected virtues of “work, faith, and family.” Gilder and other liberal-conservative thinkers reconnected the link between faith and reason. What followed was a new morning for America and the West, and global developments that freed millions from Soviet tyranny and perpetual serfdom.
Today, among those who are best schooled, best fed, and most powerful, “critical theory” invites the rejection of traditional virtues and the choice of a lifestyle that is fashionable, easy, and “sustainable.” All we’re left with are the capricious desires that a technologically advanced society is equipped to fulfil.
Liberty has become license. Equality is equity. Self-discipline and chastity are prudish. Compassion is reduced to virtue signaling. Hard work is for others. Honesty is seldom the best policy. Patriotism is xenophobia, and faith in God is for rubes who cling to their bibles and their guns.
We suffer from a morbid form of narcissism that leads us to believe we can sit in God-like judgement of others while nothing stands in judgement of ourselves. We accept lectures from social misfits, tolerate corruption of the democratic process, reject leaders who project common sense, and elect fools to govern our civic and national affairs.
The result is a deeply divided society and individual lives that are marked by disenchantment, alienation, and uncertainty. We’ve pursued and achieved the modern dream of defining ourselves—but at an enormous cost.

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Fishrrman,
Your powerful contrasts bring to mind the ideas of arguably the wisest Man ever created by the Almighty.
In his majestic "Republic"; Plato defined the 'Psyche' of Man as his Soul; comprising Essences that defined
him for eternity, including:
* impulses and sentiments, such as Anger and Desire to satisfy his need for Material satisfaction while more importantly,
* attitudes and behaviors, involving Reasoning and Truth to satisfy his need for Spiritual serenity.
These ruled Mankind, virtually from Eden till the French Enlightenment; some thousands of centuries.
Then the destructive radicals of the left changed the earlier dynamic by insisting that Man's higher
calling was material betterment since his lifetime was limited; a fateful change, Man has been paying for since.
The condition of virtually all our significant institutions of governance/rule are mute testament to that cold reality.