The Introduction
Broadly painted brushstrokes
paint the introductory canvas to Richard Weaver's masterpiece, Ideas Have Consequences, as the author/artist jumps feet first into the cold water of post war society. He readily states that he wants to talk about the decline of the West and propose a solution.Sounds depressing as looks this 1966 Renee Radell painting, The Tide.
Weaver rapidly covers the philosophical landscapes of six centuries by describing nominalism (14th), then the new doctrine of nature (science vs unintelligibility); then rationalism (deism and materialism); Darwinism; pyschological behaviorism; and finally the abysmality of the 20th century. To wit, he lists the various the methods of education where logic was grammaticized (from vere loqui to recte loqui); definitions (denotations) were assaulted; and the Renaissance pattern was developed, adapting the course of study to produce a successful man. With amazing insight Weaver covers the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th century educational disciplines and cites the dominant type of leader from each of these epochs as proofs of the changes.
Declaring that there is a split in the 20th century camps, Mr Weaver labels one sentimental humanitarians and the other remorseless theorists.
"Nothing is more disturbing to modern men of the West than the logical clarity with which the Communists face all problems."
Yet Mr Weaver feels that it is extremely difficult to get people in any number to admit that our society is decadent.
Yet my blogging buddy Cindy is ready to tackle the world's problems and that's why we're all reading IHC.
Modern man has fallen prey to hysterical optimism, becoming insensible and apathetic. Stuck in that position until ready to distinguish between good and evil again, society will continue to spiral downward.
Nevertheless Richard Weaver plods along
laying the groundwork for his argument,
indicting society, making comments,
asking questions, and demanding answers.
He's searching for intellectual integrity.
Name his companion with the lantern.
Good synopsis!
ReplyDeleteSo, are we all a group of lady Diogeneses? Say that three times fast ;-). I think he did have a problem with the creeping "crude." I think I could have a problem with creeping cynicism, which is why I am so glad to be a Calvinist.
BTW, I think modern man may not be so apathetic, but that he is too sure of himself, trying to solve all the wrong problems but never knowing what the real problem is. The sentimental humanitarian and the remorseless theorist both want the tell us how to live our lives and they each create a tyranny in search of their utopia. An example of the former would be the global warming environmentalists who believe Al Gore is deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize and who want to make us all drive electric cars or it could be the religious right neo-conservatives who think the state is the solution for all their pet issues. In Weaver's time, the communists were obviously the latter. Do you think that's still the case?
ReplyDeleteI think Al Gore is an example of a post-modern man...not modern.
ReplyDeleteAnd about apathy, it may be in our favor that most are apathetic.
What is that Rushdoony says about history and a minority?
Off to find that quote :)