Koan, some of this is generally true but a lot of it is Monday morning quarterbacking. The concept of freedom as we view it today didn't mean squat when people had to fight to survive, knowing that disease, illness, famine, or war might occur at any time. A powerful ruler who could ensure order and protect people from outside attack meant a lot more than "freedom." And though it's true that people did not vote in the way we do now, but in pre-modern times a ruler did have to have support from others in his tribe and eventually in his territory/kingdom, otherwise they would rebel against him. "Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown", you know.
As for dogma, aka religion, aka Judeo-Christianity in Europe, it changed how people thought of themselves. If humans are made in the image and likeness of God, how much can they aspire to? And given what depths man can sink to, how can he redeem himself in the eyes of God and society? These were great thoughts. The eventual stultification and political involvement of the Catholic "bureaucracy" that Martin Luther and others revolted against should not blind one to the great works of education, charity and preservation of culture the Church accomplished in Europe, and which provided the foundation for the Renaissance.
"Until we had science we had no freedom from dogma" - dogma (or religion) and science have co-existed for a long time. They are not mutally exclusive.
"whatever myths the culture ruled was how one was to live that, how they HAD to live. They had no choice." 500 to 600 years ago in Europe, people could just leave. Explore the world, trade, settle elsewhere. Most stayed put, though the restrictions on religion in England helped lead to the settlement of the colonies in America, of course.
"women are slaves to the men in most of the world" Uh, no.
"High taxes, extensive welfare systems and low income inequality." Italy, Spain and Greece should be as happy as clams too since they share these features. But they aren't. Maybe there are some other factors, hmm?
"Society has to be kept healthy if it is to serve and protect the people" People need to look after their own health proactively.
"major income inequality is a cancer on a society" Not when it occurs through private sector enterprise and growth. Sam Walton, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett, for example, grew the economy. Gates, Walton and many others used technology to grow their businesses, provide employment and stimulate the growth of ancillary businesses. If you are referring to the wealth of the Wall Streeters, I don't really care if they get humongous salaries and bonuses. That doesn't take anything away from me. Using my tax dollars to bail them out when their bets fail does. |
