The perfected European and American civilizations gave rise to the industrial-capitalist system, which represents not only a mighty economic development but the spiritual phenomenon of the annihilation of spirituality. The industrial Capitalism of civilization proved to be the destroyer of the eternal spirit and sacred traditions. Modern capitalist civilization is essentially atheistic and hostile to the idea of God. The crime of killing God must be laid at its door rather than at that of revolutionary socialism, which merely adapted itself to the civilized 'bourgeois' spirit and accepted its negative heritage. - Nikolai Berdyaev, The Meaning of HistoryNikolai Berdyaev (Wikipedia) - nice bio. with many great links
To continue researching the topic of the above quotation, I refer you to the works (articles and books) of D. Stephen Long and Daniel M. Bell, Jr.
10 comments:
this leads to a simple categorical syllogism:
Major Premise:
Capitalism is the destroyer of the eternal.
Minor Premise:
David Jones, by virtue of his hosting Amazon ads, is a capitalist.
Therefore, conclusion:
David Jones is a destroyer of the eternal.
;)
No my friend, it's called the Risk of Education. By referring you to this fabulous reading material I'm helping to guide you towards living a happy life. The risk of course is that you reject it. I love you and this is my gift to you.
But you do not deny that your are a capitalist. Therefore, the minor premise still stands. What you have done is prove that capitalism is not necessarily destructive of "the Eternal," but rather, affords great opportunities for education and the sharing of experience. Your copy of Fr. Luigi Giussani's The Risk of Education would not be glossy and perfect-bound if it wasn't for the dynamic of the free-market. Or is this line of reasoning mistaken?
I am not a philosopher. In fact, I have not taken one philosophy course in my entire life. I was unaware that an understanding of it (a simple categorical syllogism, etc.) is required for salvation. I speak from personal experience, of the gifts that I have received in my life.
True education can occur in spite of capitalism not because of it. I could care less that the book, The Risk of Ed., has a nice glossy cover. I recognize the truth of what Fr. Giussani says because I have experienced it myself and have made it my own. This experience included receiving a great gift, a grace, of meeting this man in the flesh, eating a meal with him, and talking with him. It was through his gaze, the gaze of Christ, that my life was transformed.
I am not a capitalist. I am a Catholic. My life, your life, everyones life is a grace. I live my life to the best of my abilities doing the Corporal & Spiritual Works of Mercy not because of capitalism (in fact many times in competition with it), but because I have met a man who has shown me a better way, the Way. This is nothing short of a pure gift, a grace.
I refer you to the following article, What is Wrong with Capitalism? The Problem with the Problem with Capitalism by Daniel M. Bell, Jr.
Ha! In the US, Giussani's trilogy is sold in expensive volumes. In certain other countries, I believe they break up each book into smaller volumes that are perhaps stapled together, but are much more affordable for everyone.
Fred, I wonder, whether photocopiers, staplers, and staples were invented within these "Certain other countries," or if they were invented in industrialized nations that harbor free markets and reward entrepreneurship, creativity, and free enterprise. And when these "Certain countries" chose to import staplers, staples, and photocopiers, did they have to pay tariffs?
The free market is not the best system. It's the worst system, except for all the others. That's why it's worth safeguarding against the collectivist and utopian inclinations of more otherworldly minds.
S.
The more one becomes a Catholic the less he is a Capitalist.
My humble suggestion to you would be to read less of Michael Novak and more of the writings of the saints. Read less of Richard John Neuhaus and more of Sacred Scripture. Read less of George Weigel and more of the official teachings of the Magisterium as given to us in the CCC and the Comp. of Catholic Social Doctrine.
In fact just sell all your Neocon books and donate the money to charity, i.e. the Catholic Worker House in KC. Read less and just pray more.
Read less and just pray more.
Funny coming from a guy who runs a blog dedicated to "referring you to this fabulous reading material [with which] I'm helping to guide you towards living a happy life," and who just a few comments up referred me to a book by a certain Daniel M. Bell, Jr.! ;)
Consider D. Stephen Long and Daniel M. Bell, Jr. like vitamins. They are good for you, especially, especially for you (Mr. S-man).
Better yet consider them as antibiotics that will cure the Neocon infection of your mind & heart.
If this treatment fails, we might have to beg Our Lady for a miracle though, but I have faith. Brighter and better days are in your future!
For your information - the Bell link above is a free article, not a book. Everyone should read it.
Now of course it would be a great decision if in your freedom you choose to buy his book after reading his articles that are provided to you in the link on the main post.
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