We have chosen to assume that almost nine decades of life (the maturer years being ubiquitously dedicated to serious contemplation) buttressed by the foregoing relevant citation of recognized wise men, will attenuate the reader’s predictable reaction to the present offering as being reductively hubristic. After having, to date, published slightly short of 1,500 blogs, we will optimistically assume that a relevant, metaphysical statement would be deemed acceptable. Our perpetual theme, and, ultimately, that of the present writing, is Man’s aspiration for a fulfilled life.
For many, the attainment of a “successful” life is founded on the accumulation of conspicuous wealth and a privileged lifestyle; for others, it is recognized accomplishment, viz., the development of a proven cure for a disease or, perhaps, the creation of a utilitarian and highly profitable mathematical formula; for yet others, like ourselves, “fulfillment” is attained by the ultimate acquisition of a mature, rational understanding of the nuanced course of one’s life..
Over the course of modern history, demagogues have suggested dogmatic transmogrifications of existing political-economic systems or the installation of laudable rulers as the sine qua non for the societal attainment of an improved and desirable life. Wiser commentators have maintained that it is not the hapless alteration of the extant polity or ruler, but rather the personal acquisition of citizen wisdom that ultimately leads to self-betterment, and ultimately, to appropriate rule. In the sage words of our oft-quoted savant, Winston Churchill: “The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of socialism is the equal division of misery.”
Wise commentators have eternally articulated the principle that it is not the radical alteration of the polity, nor the installation of a proposed, lauded ruler that provides good rule and societal fulfillment, but rather the societal wisdom and discernment of the citizenry that fundamentally provides successful rule. The aspiration for good governance is implemented by the actions of a wise and discerning society in its selection of a suitable leader. The eternal metaphysical basis of good governance is the beneficial existence of a wise and informed citizenry.’
The adequate development of a natural, utilitarian, and referable self-image appears to be the metaphysical sine qua non of healthy and recognizably fulfilled life and of the useful citizen. It would appear that such accomplishment is developed from the earliest perceived responses and discriminating observations of others, notably, members of one’s young peer group, with whom they daily interact. This dynamic is the principal cause of our relentless opposition to the smartphone as the alternative to natural human interaction; its inadequacies reportedly have significantly increased the mental health problems of a large population of its immature users. Other “mindless” digital facilities have augmented the deleterious illnesses and social isolation of today’s youth.
The media has reported on students’ emotional isolation and the clinical aftermath of the impactful loss of natural, spontaneous interaction. Schoolteachers and administrators suffer unprecedented setbacks in the quality of learning of American students, as well as the stated, unprecedented growth of anxiety and depression in the young. Such impairment has its sequelae in later life and in the stultified dynamics of human society.
The metaphysical panacea for the political ills of society and its disgruntled citizenry is obtained, not by demagoguery or theory, but in empirical practice. It all begins with the citizen’s beneficial desire to understand himself and the consequent development of a referable self-image calling for right action.
Analogous to the instruction of a treating physician, the prescription of appropriate and regular doses of good literature, the fine arts, the conduct of intelligent discourse, and the exercise of an open and unprejudiced mind, constitute the eternal prescription for the efficient route to a rewarding life, a discerning citizen, and, thematically, good governance.
-p.