On Being Accountable

Take a Stand and then Stand by for what is coming.. :)

Ultimately, I believe that responsibility for our actions, whether good or evil, rests within each of us, not society. I resonate with the idea that we aren't mere victims of societal influences, innocent lambs led astray by forces beyond our control. It's a tough concept to embrace because it means we can't lay the blame solely on external factors. I've come to acknowledge the unpopularity of this perspective, understanding that our reluctance to take responsibility for evil is partly linked to the decline in religious belief and the belief that progress and an ideal environment can eliminate our capacity for destruction.

Neo-classical liberals naturally place a strong emphasis on the individual. However, I recognize a potential flaw in theories that excessively focus on the individual. It seems unlikely that any of us can fully grasp the extent of evil within ourselves without the broader perspective that communal life provides. Their take on virtue, influenced by a Stoic perspective, makes me realize that understanding and developing virtue is challenging on an individual level. 

Neo-Marxist oppression theory places significant blame for an individual's struggles on various forms of oppression, including socioeconomic, religious, economic, racial, and sexual factors. This perspective has given rise to the world's most pervasive and perverse victim culture. This victim culture is then wielded as a powerful tool, often weaponized by those who feel oppressed to shame and cancel individuals who have risen above their circumstances.

For instance, in the realm of socioeconomic oppression, neo-Marxist thinkers argue that systemic economic structures perpetuate inequality. They point to income disparities, arguing that individuals born into poverty face systemic barriers that make upward mobility challenging. In the process, the emphasis on these structural issues can sometimes overshadow personal agency and effort.

In terms of racial oppression, neo-Marxist perspectives highlight historical injustices and ongoing systemic biases. For example, they point to racial profiling, discriminatory hiring practices, or disparities in access to education and healthcare. While these issues are undoubtedly real and significant, an exclusive focus on systemic factors might overlook instances where individual effort and merit have played a role in success.

In the realm of cancel culture, the neo-Marxist notion of oppression is sometimes wielded as a tool for silencing dissenting voices. For instance, if an individual from a historically privileged group expresses a viewpoint that is perceived as dismissive of systemic issues, they may face public shaming and cancellation. This approach stifles open dialogue and inhibits the free exchange of ideas, hindering social progress.

To illustrate the potential consequences of this victim culture, I draw parallels to the academic theory of evolution. Imagine if the first amphibian, with its ability to breathe air, was mocked and shamed into returning to the water. In a similar way, a focus solely on oppression without acknowledging individual agency and accomplishments discourages individuals from striving for success and improvement, hindering societal progress in the long run.

When considering the natural limits that Neo-Classical Liberalism creates with the over-emphasis on the individual and the self-actualization limits created by these individuals struggling with the Oppression that Neo-Marxists impose on the individual thinker, it is small wonder we find ourselves in the difficult times of today’s mental health struggles.  I believe that it is highly unlikely that any person will be able to see the full scope of evil in themselves without the vantage point that communal life brings and without being able to step outside of the Neo-Marxist victim mentality.  The awareness of both evil and virtue seems to flourish within a healthy - nonoppressive community and both evil and virtue are more aptly measured in the contrast between the individual and the community. 

While it may be true that personal growth involves tidying up one's room, I can't ignore that even our personal spaces contain elements not solely of our own creation and maintenance. Each of our rooms includes things crafted by others and, hopefully, elements that contribute to our collective well-being within the community.

I strongly believe in the importance of community for a comprehensive understanding of the nature of Being, viewing it as ultimately good. In the Judeo-Christian worldview, the concept of a body as an interrelationship of many members holds significant weight. According to the metaphor of a body in scripture, it's evident that a lone individual, much like a solitary body part, can never function effectively on their own. The Message paraphrase of the apostle Paul in 1 Cor 12:25 puts it this way: "The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together ... every part dependent on every other part"

Paul was clear in Galatians 5:1, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Paul was not talking about physical slavery, but the slavery of Sin and Doubt.  Churchill said it well, “we have nothing to fear, but fear itself.” 

Considering the ontological perspective, perhaps for a more profound understanding of the nature of Being, it is not only beneficial but even essential to embrace a liberated and purposeful communal mindset rather than focusing solely on the individual.

Konstantin Josef Jireček said, “We, the unwilling, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have done so much, for so long, with so little, we are now qualified to do anything with nothing.” 

I strongly believe the contrary, it should read, “We the willing, led by the All-knowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful.  We have done so much, for so long, with so little, because we are qualified by Him to do anything with nothing.”