Follow Your Conscience?

A lot of emphasis is placed upon the idea of the conscience. It is the mystical way that individuals know what they are supposed to do in those tough, moral situations. One's conscience is often honored as the supreme moral authority in life and thanks to Jiminy Cricket's oft quoted statement, "Let your conscience be your guide," this trend is likely to continue.

But doesn't this seem odd?  What in the world is a conscience and why does it have so much power and prestige in my life and in my decision-making process? Should I ignore my conscience? Should I afford it a place of less importance? In the next few blog posts I am going to explore the idea of the conscience. I am going to consider what the conscience is, why it is good, why it can be bad, how it can be cultivated and then I will consider practical out-workings of a grounded conscience.

Here is a link to R.C. Sproul's recent article entitled, "Ethics and the Conscience." It will give you a preview of what is to come.

The American Democrat

I like a routine. I can't help it. I find myself reading the same news sites and the same columns week in and week out. The routine is so engrained in my mind that I find myself frequenting sites and authors that I don't particularly care for. But occasionally, and only occasionally, these habitual forays of mine pay off. Take Roger Simon for instance. Mr. Simon is a contributer at an online magazine named Politico. Typically, I find his posts maddening and meandering, but I found his most recent article rather interesting. 

In his latest article, Mr. Simon cites a recent poll which suggests that America is growing more uncivil. Incivility in the workplace, in the media, in government, and basically any place else you want to look, is on the rise. Some blame the internet, others blame the constant barrage of negative media, but regardless of the source, this rise in rudeness is a growing trend in almost every facet of life. The article itself is not shocking, and neither are the results that is discusses (probably because as an active participant in American society, I find it rather easy to believe that people are becoming more uncivil). The thing that I find compelling about this story is how this perspective on life in America is so radically different than the hopes of the men who actually founded our nation. 

James Fenimore Cooper is famous for the penning the Leatherstocking Saga, a series of five books chronicling the life of the first great American hero, Natty Bumppo. Cooper also wrote on politics and theory and in his article entitled, "The American Democrat" he makes an argument that stands in stark contrast to the views set forward in Roger Simon's article.  Mr. Cooper argues that, "The principle advantage of a democracy, is a general elevation in the character of the people." Cooper backs this argument up by suggesting that since a democracy allows a man to pursue his own interests, he will make wise and informed decisions and this freedom, this liberty of pursuit, will instill a greater sense of character and right in the citizens of that democracy.  So why the apparent failure? Why has our democracy, which at its inception was considered a bastion of morality and justice, become a country where people, "tune out, making us less likely to vote or serve in government or engage with others." 

The problem lies with Mr. Cooper's ideas on what propels a man toward good character.  It isn't the prospect of success or the hope of equality. This hope cannot engender morality in an individual and the prospect of success only nurtures greed and selfishness.

"Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith."- Alexis de Tocqueville

Why blog?

Blogging requires commitment.  When I was attempting to put a name to this page I was constantly thwarted by bloggers who set up a site, posted one entry (if that) and then left their blog languishing in the wilderness and consequently holding a perfectly appropriate domain name hostage.  I don't want that to be me.  So, in order to have a motivation behind my blog, I am going to put my purpose in writing.

When I was a young lass, I had very strong opinions about things.  I loved to debate and to argue and I was never terribly concerned if my arguments were logical, rational, reasonable or right.  Winning an argument was contingent upon me using my wit to my advantage.  If I could bring up an embarrassing story surrounding my opponent's argument and make a witty jab about it, typically my opponent would crumple and I would declare victory. It was all quite silly.

Since that time, I have decided that an argument should not only be correct but it should also be winsome.  Therefore, my arguments for or against something should be both well thought out and well presented.  The problem however, is that this sort of organization is not easy to come by.  It isn't a natural tendency of mine to think logically when I am arguing a point.  My tendency is to zero in on the most effective strain of argument and camp out there, building trenches and praying against any grenades.  But, this sort of argument never wins any converts and it rarely wins respect.  Therefore, the first purpose of this blog is to teach me to refine my thoughts and to present them in an orderly way.