I think you very coherently describe the conundrum of modernity. We learned from Darwin that human value systems are based on no reality that is independent of the social interactions of humans as a species. The logical conclusion from this is that cultural values are relative. The educated secular class has allowed this logic to flow right to its nihilistic conclusion that society is structured by dominance hierarchies, with all the political ramifications.
Meanwhile, the religious people point to their belief in God as the source of moral norms and social stability. From the evolutionary perspective, the coalitions formed around these shared beliefs have been the organizing principle of societies. But as the traditional God retreats in the face of the Darwinian worldview, social cohesion searches for some replacement foundation. It’s why wokeism feels like a sort of half-baked residual religious impulse of secular society. And it’s why us traditional liberals worry that it has more potency than enlightenment philosophy.
I personally believe that if there is a solution it needs to come from academic philosophy where it originated. They are the modern clerisy. They need to clearly elucidate and defend enlightenment values. Politically, this means effective pushback has to come from the liberal left. Only they have the credibility to do this, not the social conservatives. It’s like when Nixon went to China; this liberalizing attitude toward China to could only credibly come from the hawkish side of the political spectrum.
I think you very coherently describe the conundrum of modernity. We learned from Darwin that human value systems are based on no reality that is independent of the social interactions of humans as a species. The logical conclusion from this is that cultural values are relative. The educated secular class has allowed this logic to flow right to its nihilistic conclusion that society is structured by dominance hierarchies, with all the political ramifications.
Meanwhile, the religious people point to their belief in God as the source of moral norms and social stability. From the evolutionary perspective, the coalitions formed around these shared beliefs have been the organizing principle of societies. But as the traditional God retreats in the face of the Darwinian worldview, social cohesion searches for some replacement foundation. It’s why wokeism feels like a sort of half-baked residual religious impulse of secular society. And it’s why us traditional liberals worry that it has more potency than enlightenment philosophy.
I personally believe that if there is a solution it needs to come from academic philosophy where it originated. They are the modern clerisy. They need to clearly elucidate and defend enlightenment values. Politically, this means effective pushback has to come from the liberal left. Only they have the credibility to do this, not the social conservatives. It’s like when Nixon went to China; this liberalizing attitude toward China to could only credibly come from the hawkish side of the political spectrum.