The contemplative reader of history, doubtlessly, would possess an underlying interest in the fundamental nature of Mankind itself. The universally understood function of the study of reported history relates to the desire for an objective understanding of Mankind’s past; however, an additionally singular benefit for the contemplative student is found in the philosophical search for an understanding of the nature of Humanity, as empirically revealed by its past actions.
In said endeavor, it is contextually useful to consider the accepted societal morality prevalent at the time of the period examined. It is ultimately enlightening, for example, to seek the metaphysical revelation of societal acceptance of our Nation’s earlier practice of chattel slave ownership. To avoid misunderstanding, we do not subscribe to any concept of situational (relative) or temporal morality; the enslavement of human beings is metaphysically and eternally evil, regardless of time and ambient circumstance.
Nevertheless, it would be enlightening to discover the mental and emotional dynamic of its mundane acceptance by the then-contemporary members’ “good, Christian, law-abiding citizens,” as well as the temporal understanding of past conceptional rectitude and historical social acceptability, Such understanding would be useful in the continuing effort to understand Man’s intrinsic and timeless nature and the basic dynamics of his fundamental interpersonal relationships..
Contextually, as we contemplate man’s societal history, certain fixed, interactional standards of acceptable behavior reveal themselves to be timelessly mandatory and perforce, systemically existential. Our Nation’s dedicated and knowledgeable Founders transcribed such basic and timeless criteria in the American Constitution, viz., liberty, equality, freedom of expression, thought, and belief and, notably, freedom from oppressive rule.
These elemental criteria have proven to be timeless and universal. Where the nuances of history reveal any less than their mutual recognition and absence of societal or governmental adherence to such standards, the resultant evaluation of tyranny has been appropriate. Other historical phenomena may serve to reveal the varied nuances of human behavior relevant to time and situation; nevertheless, these fundamental standards are notably included in the secular mandates of the Ten Commandments, and best expressed by Emanuel Kant, in his “Prolegomoma,” also denominated as “The Golden Rule.” of refraining from any action toward another you would not wish for yourself.”
History revealingly demonstrates the negative sequelae of Man’s failure to observe such fundamental standards of moral and just behavior, which empirically confirm the tragic outcomes. Classic literature is replete with such instances of tragedy, in the fictional rendition of the ultimate effects of the violation of such basic humanistic principles, rendered in aesthetic language, making them reliably adjudged as “Classic.”
The presenting consternation and fear of the contemporary mainstream American citizen responsive to the dystopic, unconstitutional rule by the present Trump Administration might be assuaged by his contemplative reference to the historical record, making empirically predictable the self-immolation of the Nation’s immoral, unprincipled, and dystopic rule eschewed by a much wiser voting citizen.
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