The Trial and Death of Reason

[FiddlertheLeper]

After watching Stefan's wonderful series entitled "The Trial and Death of Socrates' " I felt inspired to write an argument (as normal against our current situation with regard to the state) which became somewhat of a mirror of the material which inspired me to write it.  Now I am in no way even at the level of Socrates'  toes, nor can I make any honest claim to having lived, or to be currently living a life of virtue or reason.  Though I do hope to set myself firmly upon the path that will lead me to live just such a life.

  I am hoping the greater minds than me within this community will help to point out the flaws in my logic, and the areas where my argument is weakest (as i am sure that on both counts my argument is surely guilty to one degree or another) so that I might revise it, and improve it. Thank you to anyone who takes the time to either read, or comment on this topic.

 

 

       If man is fallible and often illogical, immoral, and lacking wisdom, how can any construct of man (laws, government, the church, etc...) be accepted or expected to posses the very qualities men lack? And, how can we as fallible, broken, illogical and immoral men, either hope or aspire to create constructs that hold to logic, virtue (morality), wisdom, and that are not fallible or broken? How can we as men bequeath unto our creations that which we do not posses ourselves? Only through acceptance of our own lack, can we hope to allow ourselves to gain the qualities we so often espouse and praise.  And yet, we devote so much of our time and energy to the attempt to improve our constructs, all the while ignoring the need for true improvement within ourselves. That which we created can only reflect that which we are, or know. We wish to, and attempt to instill in our constructs justice, virtue, benevolence, and wisdom, yet we do not first attempt to instill these standards in our own lives. If the creation reflects the creator, how then can we lay claim to surprise and betrayal at the injustices and evils that abound within our creations?  If we do not first apply the standards we espouse and claim aspiration to within our own lives and actions, our creations will never be able to hold to or abide these standards.  For our creations can only posses that which we give to them, and we cannot give that which we lack ourselves.  If we wish our greatest construct (society) to posses these qualities, we must first acknowledge our own lack, and then strive to obtain and live by these standards in our own lives as individuals.  Only if and when we accept and apply this truth, does society stand even a chance of true progress towards that which I hope and believe we desire.  If we refuse the responsibility of aligning our actions, not just our words, to these standards, we forfeit our right to feel wronged or betrayed when that which we created does to us what we do in our own lives to others.  And, those of us who see true, it is our duty to do that which is right.  Not, in hope of reciprocity, but in accord with that which we know to be true, and that which we see to be right.  We must do what is right because it is right.  It is this upon which we must focus ourselves, not on the perceived gains or consequences of doing what is virtuous.  We may not live to see the fruits of our labor, and may suffer unjustly for our adherence to virtue.  Yet, let this never be an argument or reason for the inaction of virtue in our own lives and actions.  The eventual outcome matters little, and the trials we must face upon this path even less. Virtue is both reason, and goal, let that be enough. Please, I beg you, men of reason, let that be enough.