"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
The world turned upside down
Here's a thoughtful article by Robert Tracinski at The Federalist that shows how the word "liberal" has been co-opted by social movements that are anything but.
I do think that even classical liberalism contains the seed of its own destruction, though. Which puts me at odds with a lot of people. You just have to look closely at JS Mill and how he turned into almost a masochistic feminist with his creepy Harriet: that was no accident, it follows from his core beliefs I'd say. And the modern world grew from: "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." You don't need leftism or the Frankfurt School to explain how things have gone, JS Mill is enough and predates them all. Gay marriage, Revolution T: blame JS Mill.
I reckon liberalism does drive people crazy. I've spent time in a 'repressive' traditional society, mostly Catholic, where it seemed to me that these were the happiest people I'd ever met, men and women in traditional roles. But modernity is like an addictive drug.
I do think that even classical liberalism contains the seed of its own destruction, though. Which puts me at odds with a lot of people. You just have to look closely at JS Mill and how he turned into almost a masochistic feminist with his creepy Harriet: that was no accident, it follows from his core beliefs I'd say. And the modern world grew from: "The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others." You don't need leftism or the Frankfurt School to explain how things have gone, JS Mill is enough and predates them all. Gay marriage, Revolution T: blame JS Mill.
ReplyDeleteThat guy on the radio asked a good chicken/egg question: which comes first - insanity, or liberalism?
ReplyDeleteI reckon liberalism does drive people crazy. I've spent time in a 'repressive' traditional society, mostly Catholic, where it seemed to me that these were the happiest people I'd ever met, men and women in traditional roles. But modernity is like an addictive drug.
ReplyDelete