Two big ideas have been the source of endless strife and much debate throughout the ages: “God” and “the State”.

I have not yet posted my work on “the State” because it requires explaining minor modifications of published frameworks. However, our present global predicament pushes me to explain here how these ideas are intrinsic to our personal functioning. We can then consider the consequences for our societies.

Given today's world, a world riven by war both declared and undeclared, we should strive to understand what is happening. More...

Most people are good (virtuous) most of the time.  The world would not work if they were not. That's an encouraging thought.

Life continues daily with each and every one of us producing goodness in small or large actions.  The good is expressed in our words, appears through the realization of our intentions, and shows up everywhere in fleeting non-verbal communications.

If we open our eyes to see the good as we walk down the street, we will see it.  The question may be asked as to why we do not routinely bother to look and remind ourselves that life is good and people are good. More...

Elinor Ostrom asked the question: How do you get social problems fixed?  Through the power of government?  Wrong.  Through the power of the individual?  Right.

But don't we want government to fix things?  We may: but that is often abdicating our responsibility—especially when our eyes show us that political intrusion only makes things worse, wastes money, and disrupts our freedom.  And it saps our own power.  The power that we each have as individuals.

Don't social solutions need the coercive imposition of organization?  No.  They can be based on intelligent and cooperative effort byMore...

No doctrine can deliver virtue or character.  So none can ensure that using power to apply the supposedly beneficial doctrine will be safe and wise.

Character flows from our humanity, the same source as the power that we use.  It is wonderful that this humanity and this power is irrepressible.

However, our humanity is a tricky thing and using power is even trickier.  We are not  dealing with good that is unproblematic.  Humanity is built on an endless conflict between one good and something else that is also good.  Of all these conflicts in relation to using power, and there are many, perhaps the most significant is that between what is good for our humanity and what is good for our society. 

As you know: evil is choice of the lesser good, and of these two, More...