Socialism may well be inevitable

For either humanity develops to the point where we shall be able to eliminate physical scarcity of most commodities, or our civilisation collapses, forcing us into tribal egalitarianism. Not by the pen of Marx or the efforts of Lenin, but by the pure historical necessity that spares no one.

Natural Aristocracy

(this is an early draft)

When mediocrity sits at the helm of the ship of state, the natural aristocracy must hone its patience. For the ship is certain to flounder, its many captains lacking the expertise necessary to guide it to safe waters. This expertise is not acquired (as we moderns seem to think) by personal preference or popular opinion, but through deliberate study and careful observation of the human condition, and sufficient knowledge of its many arts and sciences.

What is a natural aristocracy, then? It is not the pageantry and frivolity of the artifical aristocracy, elevated to its perch through accident of birth and wealth. The natural aristocrat is a human type, the man or woman who conforms to an ideal set through countless generations and found to have stood the test of time and reason. He seeks to conform to this ideal, in spirit, soul, and body. He is not born worthy, but becomes worthy.

The spirit: the cultivation of virtue and temperance, of even-mindedness and equanimity. A mind that is alert and ready, that does not react easily and a stable mood of contentment with one’s work. The display of virtuous behavior is necessary, as well as earning the respect and the society of the respectable.

The mind and the intellect are trained through careful education in the classical tradition, which contains the lasting truths pertaining to the human condition. Lest he becomes immobile, he will seek not only to acquire, but to evaluate and apply the knowledge gained. He aims at understanding the transcendentals: that which is good, that which is true, and that which is beautiful. He becomes the superior man of Confucian philosophy, the man who is good at many things. He shall be well-versed in history and psychology, as well as science and engineering.

The body is trained rationally, not to atrophy or excess. The joy of movement is sought and understood as essential to the regulation of all other dimensions. Rational nutrition is a given, as well as the respect for our ancestral nature when it comes to rest.

Finally, the natural aristocrat places himself at the judgement of the ideal. He takes his tasks seriously, but he does not commit the mistake of taking himself too seriously. He will acquit himself well when commanding an army, and provide a worthy challenge during a philosophical discussion. But that would be nothing without mastering the fine arts of drinking, kissing, and making love.

Noble lies

In his Republic, Plato defends the use of the noble lie as a means to social cohesion. This can be observed in any polity, of any size — from the nation-state that weaves a great narrative to justify its existence, to the established church that wants to be the sole intermediary between Man and Deity.

Man is an animal that lives by its stories and narratives. A well-told story will stir any otherwise rational person to lay down their lives.

The level of abstraction of any noble lie must be so great that it does not endure close examination, but not so elevated that it fails to inspire.

On Good Government

A good ruler cannot afford to think in ideologies. The flourishing of her community depends on the correct apprehension of reality and its dynamics. Any attempt to impose upon reality a pattern for which it is not yet ready is doomed from the start.

Therefore, the good ruler is a socialist when wealth needs to be justly distributed, a conservative when preserving the best traditions of her polity. He is an anarchist when allowing a small community to govern itself by its lights, and a reactionary when curbing the excesses of modernity.

“Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.
Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.”

On Ideology

Of what use is cleaving to a particular ideology? The more I see, the more I am convinced that ideologies are founded on some holy idea of how the world should be, with only a very partial relation to truth (if any at all).

Progressives, conservatives, and reactionaries should be able to see the truth in each other’s ideologies. After all, there are always things that need changing, while others are worthy of preservation or even restoration. It is necessary to establish a will to truth.

Study

It is time to retrace my steps. I have acquired a fine panoramic view of the myriad teachings, but I must now unhurriedly explore them.

Cultivate the virtues with care. Sit quietly, learn to fight, follow austere beauty.

Bring that to everything you do.