Fear has value. The fight or flight reflex has helped our species survive for millennia. In ancient times, we needed to know what to fear – packs of wolves, lions, tigers, bears – and take up weapons or run away. It’s also to our advantage to know friend from foe, to stop “them” from conquering “us.” In this respect, our task is more difficult than our ancestors’. Sometimes we have a difficult time figuring out who the real enemy is. And often we can be misled, so much so that any problem can be labelled a “war.” We can declare war on anything, even if it is not a real threat, even if it does not exist.
In the 1960’s, many declared, “War is not the answer.” In the 1970’s, college students at Kent State were shot and killed for protesting a war that ended up costing the lives of over 50,000 US troops and a total 1.3 million souls before it was over. While this war might have been a noble effort on the part of our soldiers, I believe management did not have the best interests of the world in mind. We were told stories of dominoes and ideology rather than promises made and the lives of real people. In time, Viet Nam war protesters were proven right, and the management of the strongest country on Earth experienced an ignominious defeat.
Let’s think about weakness. A weak government cannot tolerate criticism or open debate. That’s why authoritarian governments “crack down” on students and intellectuals. A weak religion cannot allow divergent viewpoints. That’s why some religions excommunicate and ostracize those who won’t conform. A weak organization cannot handle diversity. That’s why some organizations enforce uniformity and reward loyalty. Simply stated, weakness “can’t handle the truth.” Weakness is therefore the result of intellectual cowardice. Truth is complex, messy, and nuanced. It’s much easier to be weak than strong.
“The enemy is anybody who’s going to get you killed, no matter which side he is on.” – Joseph Heller, Catch 22
Who is the enemy? We hear a lot about “enemies of the state” these days. Universities, professors, judges, and the press have been attacked for being enemies, or at least “Anti-American.” We’ve even grown suspicious of our friends and families. We’re supposed to take sides in some sort of culture war, yet there are real problems to deal with: climate change, resource depletion, decaying infrastructure, homelessness, human trafficking, health care, natural disasters, terrorism, genocide, wealth inequity – the list goes on. There is much to be discussed, rationally, by people who know what they’re talking about.
Instead, we have governments based on ideology as well as talking-head assertions, withheld evidence, misread science, and political misdirection. While there are critical thinking methods available, we choose to ignore them in favor of our own biases and prejudices. We stick to cult-like beliefs, regardless of evidence or reason. It’s just too painful to admit we are wrong. CS Lewis pointed out that “if you’re on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road…” I’ve been wrong about a lot of things. Nevertheless, I’m convinced that admitting I was wrong has always put me on a better path.
We’re living through a time when finger pointing has reached a new level of insanity. I suspect some combination of instant incomplete news, social media algorithms, and our prehistorically wired brains has brought us to this point. The world is changing much faster than we can cope, much less understand. Perhaps only logic can save us. I’m certain conspiracy theories, click-bait news, and AI-generated videos will not.
Aristotle taught us that somewhere between reckless bravery and debilitating cowardice there is a middle ground. In this space, we see the risks and benefits. We know fear but face it and act. This is where moderation, the ancient virtue of temperance, can allow us to exercise wisdom, and solve problems without letting the fight or flight reflex take over. To Aristotle, justice was the highest virtue, standing on the shoulders of wisdom, moderation, and endurance. Virtue requires both thought and hard work.
If we want to seek justice, we must first separate facts from fiction. There can be no “alternative facts.” I’m not sure whether we will come to our senses, but I am pretty sure we won’t make it much longer being whipsawed between fight and flight, paranoia and panic. We must acknowledge the truth, no matter who speaks it or how difficult it is to hear. We must learn to attack problems rather than each other. Otherwise, the concept of “taking sides” will eventually kill us all.
MurrayWorks 