One of the most important aspects of liberals and how they think is that most of them simply don’t. They don’t reflect on the philosophical origins of their beliefs. They ignore the similarities that their ‘new’ ideas bear to ideas that have been offered in the past. And they are quick to dismiss any unintended consequences of their programs as subject to ‘external’ forces rather than their failed plans. In short, they refuse to analyze their own thinking in any way, particularly those ways that so often define the thinking of conservatives.
And since that’s so, Michael Knox Beran’s superb piece on how Liberalism has become the morally bankrupt social ideology of the 21st century will be totally wasted on them. Most of them will simply ignore it because it bores them. But from those liberal’s who are professional ‘defenders of the faith’ (who have no choice but read and address it) we can expect the usual slurry of misdirection, straw men, personal invective and indictment of intentions (along with the requisite mind reading), as well as the standard set of analogy abuse and tangential arguments that no debate with a liberal can be without.
One of the great disappointments of my life so far has been my inability to explain the more than adequately demonstrated falsehood of modern liberalism in a manner so concise and so logically inescapable, that even a liberal must confess its accuracy and repent. But these days I’m coming to see liberals as being driven by a sort of common psychosis. They are all terribly, horribly insecure and have abandoned objective morality, in most cases, out of a deep sense of guilt. With no road map left to guide them, they cling to the social politics of self congratulation like a non swimmer would cling to his inner tube if dropped into the middle of the pacific.
Tell them to let go of the thing they think is keeping them afloat, and they react with a fear and rage that usually surprises most conservatives. We have a consistent ideology based on empirical observation rather than emotional need, so their thought process is kind of foreign to many of us at first. But taken from that perspective you could describe what I’m trying to think of as a kind of ‘cure’ for liberalism. So I shouldn’t beat myself up for not getting it solved on my first few tries.
Anyway… this is a really great piece, but it’s so logical, consistent, and historically relevant that it won’t convince a single liberal. All it will do will make them furious by challenging their core beliefs. But readers of this blog might enjoy it for those very reasons.
The Descent of Liberalism
3 comments:
I think you made your point pretty good. I wouldn't worry about figuring out the liberal mindset except for the purpose of excercising the brain. Too many conservatives already spend most of their time on the defence when the whole purpose was a trap in the first place. No disrespect to you as an individual but republicans and most conservatives can't even debate to make the point of the truth. It's not even in your language anymore. America will continue to decline because their is no 'opposition' to liberalism. No resolve to move through their obvious word traps. But heh, atleast your side will have plenty of time spent on analyzing 'how' they may think.
Until your(plural) language and knee jerk defencive pridefull rehtoric changes. America will continue downward.
Always remember, Republican key statements. It's not that Obama is bad but that he is moving to fast.
The powers at bay aren't even fighting the same war that you or I have in our head.
I like your posts so don't worry about my comment and keep up the fight!
I think you and I mostly agree Arlo, but I want to raise a few small points.
First of all, I'm not a Republican.... it's just that like most liberty loving people I choose the Republicans most often as the lesser of two evils.
Secondly, I comment a lot on finance and economics because I feel like I have some expertise in that area. In those areas I speak with authority because I feel like I've earned it, and I think most people will grant me some level of expertise as well... even those that don’t agree with me. I’ve spent 20 years in the industry and have learned a lot about what makes the economic clock of the free world tick.
In the area of linguistics or political debate, I'm more like an enthusiastic amateur. I will defer to greater minds about how to make a point more effectively or if they were to take some other exception to a point I'm trying to make. But that doesn’t mean that I won’t argue it all the same.
I don't think I waste much time on analysis of the liberal mind... that is… I don’t’ consider it a waste. Everyone is entitled to their hobbies, and I've made a career out of thinking about how other people think, so I think I'm as likely to crack this nut as anyone.
I'm not sure you're arguing that I should give it up, so please don't take this too personally. But given your comments I just felt that I could probably explain my priorities a bit better.
My hobby has been behavioral observation. I think 'thinking' came later.
Don't worry about me. I'm not a professional.
No, we don't have much to argue about. No, my intention wasn't for a personal attack. I like your follow up. You are on the ball.
If you see my name pop up I may try to spark intellectual honesty but not for purposes of superior position. Besides, I'm not highly educated.
It is clear that you are fair minded. I grant you permission to blog onward and forever more :)
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