A pertinent quotation from philosopher David Hume — translated: we arguably choose to wallow in sewer-like times

© 2017 Peter Free

 

13 January 2017

 

 

A quotation from "old time" philosopher David Hume — popped up in my reading today

 

It is strikingly appropriate to our Russia-baiting, "golden showers" times:

 

 

Nothing appears more surprising to those, who consider human affairs with a philosophical eye, than the easiness with which the many are governed by the few; and the implicit submission, with which men resign their own sentiments and passions to those of their rulers.

 

When we enquire by what means this wonder is effected, we shall find, that, as force is always on the side of the governed, the governors have nothing to support them but opinion.

 

It is therefore, on opinion only that government is founded, and this maxim extends to the most despotic and most military governments, as well as to the most free and most popular.

 

David Hume, "Of the first principles of government" (1758) — contained in David Hume and Knut Haakonssen (editor), Hume: Political Essays — Cambridge Texts in the History of Political Thought (Cambridge University Press, 1994) (reportedly at pages 16-19) (paragraph split)

 

 

The moral? — Therefore, the Establishment propagandizes its willing subjects

 

And we eventually get the society that what we deserve.

 

Unfortunately, before this comeuppance arrives — we being over-armed and eagerly inclined to use those weapons for vacuous reasons — other peoples get what they do not.

 

Talk about the downstream consequences of nationally agglomerated ignorance, thoughtlessness and fear.

 

It is (in this unfortunate flux) easy to see where the concept of original sin came from. Perversely, that idea essentially excuses the selfish brainlessness that characterizes our species.

 

What is a thoughtful and ethically well-grounded person to do?