Wall Weakness on the Left
It is philosophically consistent for President Trump to take a stand on the issue of the physical wall as an important symbol of how the right views the nation, and for that matter, nations in general. The unacknowledged foundation of conservative belief is Darwin’s fundamental assumption that life is a Malthusian struggle for scarce resources. Darwin lifted his theory from the now discredited theoretical calculations of Thomas Malthus, whom I claim to be the unacknowledged patron philosopher of the political right. When confronted with the central mystery of how humans evolved to be so much more cooperative than apes, Darwin simply applied Malthus’ struggle hypothesis to groups: “There can be no doubt that a tribe including many members who, from possessing in a high degree the spirit of patriotism, fidelity, obedience, courage, and sympathy, were always ready to give aid to each other and to sacrifice themselves for the common good, would be victorious over most other tribes; and this would be natural selection.” So, under-girding the luxury of a Creator endowing us with unalienable Rights continues to be the Malthusian struggle between nations.
What better symbol for this belief than a wall?
The point here is that culturally, as a residue of the now very stale religious debate, and without recognizing the Malthusian philosophical implications, Darwin continues to occupy a position on the left of secular sainthood, without recognizing that he has become a cynical viper at their breast.
This is just one more reminder that the political left is standing on the shifting sands of a philosophical vacuum, which I have spent many years filling. Many who have followed this blog have seen it, but if you have not, take a look at my essay, A Liberal Theory of Human Nature .
Thanks.
One Comment on “Wall Weakness on the Left”
Comments are closed.
Dark and compressed but compelling, Sir. Do I get you correctly: the right hews to Darwin because in their gut they believe in the struggle for dominance that he codified; and the left elevates Darwin for dethroning religion? So many ironies here, including that the right is religious, or pays lip service to religion. The left seems wary of organized religion but believes in ever-larger bonds between groups—a growing, global community: community is the basis of religion.
These clashing world views seem themselves based in evolution. One can image the caveman conservatives urging war on the neighboring clan—get them before they get us!—and the liberal cavefolk saying, “We got plenty. Let’s share!”
Overall, the evolutionary trend seems to have the left winning, despite recent national and global political setbacks. No? But since there will always be, apparently, those of both mindsets, how will we ever get on the same page? Or would that be bad?