Friday, July 11, 2003
I'm not a big fan of organized religion, but Rabbi Berel Wein's article in Jewish World Review brings a few thoughts to mind. First, the idea that human beings can simply derive morality anew each generation is a dangerous idea. In a way, traditional beliefs function as a sort of "Constitution" of moral behavior. They provide a certain framework that must be taken seriously before adjusting. The Constitution may be revised, but it's a very serious, difficult matter to do so and should at least provide a buffer against things such as Hitlerism and Marxism.
One was the idea that all moral questions, all issues of right and wrong, good and evil, were subject to being correctly decided on the basis of man's reason alone, without the necessity (better put, without the interference) of divine revelation or organized religion. Man, and man alone, would be the final and autonomous arbiter of morality.
This idea brought with it, as a necessary corollary, the firm belief that man left to his own reasoning devices would invariably choose to do what is right, what promotes life and fairness and the common good.[...]
Second is what we all should know, but sometimes need a reminder of: that being smart and educated doesn't necessarily bestow basic human values and goodness on a person.
But none of these theories have proven true. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, Milosevic and the entire slew of other murderers of the 20th century have all given the lie to these fantasies about human morality and rectitude. One-third of all of the commandants of the Nazi death camps held either a Ph.D. or M.D. degree. Man, left to his own reason, will not choose right. Reason, by itself, is death and destruction, oppressive theories and murderous social engineering. No faith and no belief have led us to the brink of the social abyss of self-destruction.[...]
Didn't know that about the death camp commandants. Interesting. I did know the campus professoriat were the early core of Hitler's support, so that would follow I guess.
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