Perhaps it is too early to say this, and insufficient time has elapsed for readers to comment, but I would speculate that there will not be many comments on this topic.
Having a substantial liberal education, with personal focused interests in religion, human atrocities, inspired creations, scientific research, art, poetry, and leaving the world a better place, I see little value in the political science terminology spouted by an endless list of pundits. To me, it seems a battle in the arena of ego over what to call the theory of the day.
This said, Fukuyama's defining liberalism as the recognition of universal human dignity and the creation of human institutions (though I am not entirely sure of the need and number) is particularly appealing to me, particularly the rule of law, which protects human dignity.
What gets me is the polarizing remarks about the radical left and comparing it to the right. It brings to mind my discussions with a highly educated colleague in Moscow who was absolute in his conviction that Ukraine started the war, that Zelensky's administration was a Nazi organization, and paralleled the beliefs of the Right in the US that the 2020 election was stolen, that COVID-19 would go away in the summer, or that Biden is a Manchurian candidate.
Yes, these are insane times, but there is no way in the world that there is one functioning neuron to equate the Left with the Right in 2025, and say they are equally as evil, lawless, reckless, unethical, and corrupt.
Let's stop with all the bullshit about this or that political ideology. How about simply agreeing that Lincolnism should guide our hearts and minds, and thus our behavior?
When Lincoln was asked what his religion was, he is said to have answered with the following:
"When I do good, I feel good,
When I do bad, I feel bad.
That is my religion."
This is my OS, my modus operandi, and it did involve the praise (recognition) of my parents for my early achievements. However, the praise of a proud mother and/or father connoted love, and over the years of reinforcement, such a Pavlovian connection became so ingrained as to no longer require love. It just felt good knowing I had done well, and perhaps left the world a tiny bit better. These thoughts on human behavior have a resemblance to the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, which dates back to the Mishnaic period. Subsequently, in medieval times, kabbalistic literature began broadening the use of the term. Modern movements of Judaism have expanded the terms to include "the thesis that Jews bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare, but also for the welfare of society at large".[3] To the ears of contemporary pluralistic Rabbis, the term connotes "the establishment of Godly qualities throughout the world."[2]
Instead of the hypocrisy of the religious Right, I contend that the above evolves humanity rather than dividing it. Such practice has led me to the road less traveled. And this "road" is replete with LUV (Legacy, Unity, Vision). You can guess how this comment will end.
I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.
Perhaps it is too early to say this, and insufficient time has elapsed for readers to comment, but I would speculate that there will not be many comments on this topic.
Having a substantial liberal education, with personal focused interests in religion, human atrocities, inspired creations, scientific research, art, poetry, and leaving the world a better place, I see little value in the political science terminology spouted by an endless list of pundits. To me, it seems a battle in the arena of ego over what to call the theory of the day.
This said, Fukuyama's defining liberalism as the recognition of universal human dignity and the creation of human institutions (though I am not entirely sure of the need and number) is particularly appealing to me, particularly the rule of law, which protects human dignity.
What gets me is the polarizing remarks about the radical left and comparing it to the right. It brings to mind my discussions with a highly educated colleague in Moscow who was absolute in his conviction that Ukraine started the war, that Zelensky's administration was a Nazi organization, and paralleled the beliefs of the Right in the US that the 2020 election was stolen, that COVID-19 would go away in the summer, or that Biden is a Manchurian candidate.
Yes, these are insane times, but there is no way in the world that there is one functioning neuron to equate the Left with the Right in 2025, and say they are equally as evil, lawless, reckless, unethical, and corrupt.
Let's stop with all the bullshit about this or that political ideology. How about simply agreeing that Lincolnism should guide our hearts and minds, and thus our behavior?
When Lincoln was asked what his religion was, he is said to have answered with the following:
"When I do good, I feel good,
When I do bad, I feel bad.
That is my religion."
This is my OS, my modus operandi, and it did involve the praise (recognition) of my parents for my early achievements. However, the praise of a proud mother and/or father connoted love, and over the years of reinforcement, such a Pavlovian connection became so ingrained as to no longer require love. It just felt good knowing I had done well, and perhaps left the world a tiny bit better. These thoughts on human behavior have a resemblance to the Jewish concept of tikkun olam, which dates back to the Mishnaic period. Subsequently, in medieval times, kabbalistic literature began broadening the use of the term. Modern movements of Judaism have expanded the terms to include "the thesis that Jews bear responsibility not only for their own moral, spiritual, and material welfare, but also for the welfare of society at large".[3] To the ears of contemporary pluralistic Rabbis, the term connotes "the establishment of Godly qualities throughout the world."[2]
Instead of the hypocrisy of the religious Right, I contend that the above evolves humanity rather than dividing it. Such practice has led me to the road less traveled. And this "road" is replete with LUV (Legacy, Unity, Vision). You can guess how this comment will end.
I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.