“All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.” -Friedrich Nietzsche-
What is truth in the world today? Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints possess spiritual truths, and to a certain degree there are principles of truth taught with respect to temporal matters. Much of what happens in the world today doesn't seem to place much weight on truth but expends efforts to do or say whatever necessary to gain power and influence. Businesses are being rewarded publicly for dishonesty, many are caught up in lies surrounding debt obligations, and political leaders of the world have made a science out of deceiving their constituents. Yet it seems that the honest are the ones truly suffering - but are not powerless.However, I wonder if what I see as lies are as Nietzsche states, simply interpretations of experiences and examples rather than something that is absolutely true or false. Is what is going on with the federal bailouts a true or false principle? Does something like this fall into true and false?
For me I always thought that power came from truth. When truth is taught and lived by that person or organization they increase in power or influence that far exceeds the power that comes from lies or misrepresenting the truth. That means that if we simply seek for and implement true principles our power and ability to overcome the opposition we face is very real and sure.
Are we functioning in society that is more power hungry than they are hungry for the truth or the right way? I think our society has long surpassed any point where the populous majority care much for truth as much as they are preoccupied with the obtaining of temporal power and influence over others regardless of the method used to obtain it. Truth is liberating and enlightening. Power from this world is corrupting and lies at the heart of our nations problems. So I ask again, is there truth in the world today and who is to be found in possession of it?
The historian and moralist Lord Acton wrote "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." Power is not a means judging truth or justice. There are several accounts in the Book of Mormon enumerating how power corrupts. I hear politicians say they have "the mandate of the people" and I shudder to think they define this as Carte Blanche to do whatever the hell they want.
ReplyDeleteI beleive that principles are the only thing that save men from themselves. The obvious are the principles of the gospel, but since we are refering to political principles we can look to the Constitution and its Amendments. The principles to direct our country exist in the body of our Constitution and Amendments.
We know from Doctrine and Covenant's the Constitution was inspired of God. Governing is applying existing principles which are true to any question about Government. Our founders were accutely aware of the value of individual liberty. Mosiah taught that every man should bear the burden of his own sins.
Where I take issue is with "progressives" who claim society progresses past old principles, and that the constitution is passe. They argue we have progressed past the need for some Constitutional rights, and have need for further ammendments of others.
I beleive your initial question was, does interpretation prevail? Well as Nietzsche put it interpretation can work for a time as a function of power but,not of truth. We can assume what Nietzsche mean't by "interpretation" was lying to ones self, or twisting the truth for ones own purpose.
My belief is as Ayn Rand put it "We can evade reality, but we cannot evaded the consequences of reality"
Well said Thunderlump. With all of the recent tea party organizations and all of the talk of a mini revolution I think that the principles that we need to get back to and see restored are the principles of the original constitution.
ReplyDeleteIf we want to talk progressive or progression from the time of the original constitution, that progress should be seen as individual growth, not the growth of government. We should progress as a people, but that doesn't mean that the government is supposed to force us to progress.
The only progression that "progressives" want is progression back to simpler times where monarchs and war lords ruled the world, AKA all time up until the American experiment. This is the thing that is most aggravating to me, everything they put forward as new ideas are simply old ideas spoken by new people.
ReplyDeleteImagine that! A repackaging of old ideas and presented as something new. Sounds very very familiar. The tactics the adversary uses are all "passe".
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