I happened to read an article about the medieval concepts of Virtues, which led to remembering a movie "The Seven" which was crafted on the concept of Seven Sins. Also, quite accidentally, read another article around the progression of human nature as exemplified by the innovation around technology. It was an interesting to attempt to put these three pieces together.
The Modern man has indeed progressed a lot. Often, we are excited by how smart our next generation is. Even their toys are our wonders. The medieval man look more like an evolved ape in terms of technology when compared to the modern. The question was - can the Modern sustain this progress? If yes, what could drive it? The answer suggested was Technology. By continuous technological invention, we can sustain this progress. Moving from lesser efficient technology to more efficient technology, we can always meet the pressures that a progressing civilization demand, so the only thing that is absolutely required is the search for efficiency and innovation.
At first thought, it was indeed an idea that captures the essence of human progression. So, nothing against it. But, putting it against the article on virtues was fascinating. What drives innovation and the quest for efficiency? Do they come automatically to a civilization? Can they act as foundational pieces of humanity - like quarks for example? I felt that these factors, howsoever significant, do not go down to that level. The number of people who really want to innovate by their genes or disposition are far too less, in my experience. Neither are people tuned to look for efficiency in everything they do. The opposite seems to be the case most often. Innovation and efficiency, when present, often are effect of a system that cultivates it. In other words, there are other values or virtues that promote innovation and efficiency. Virtues as a concept seemed to more fundamental in defining human progress.
So, what are the Modern's virtues? Instead of trying to figure it out by sheer observation, I thought of using the medieval virtues and sins as a baseline. The outcome was indeed fascinating.
(For the sake of clarity, I should say this upfront. Human nature has all these seven virtues and sins times immemorial, and it will continue to have. But that's not the point. What defines the social structures of a particular society, or what a particular society rewards or aspires to, is its virtue).
1. Chastity vs Lust: The Modern undeniably is tending towards Lust as its value, since the 1960s sexual revolution. People admire Lust, and is rewarded by Lust.
2. Temperance vs Gluttony: Here, gluttony does not have the restricted sense of eating more food. It is about the lack of self-control towards material things. So, in that sense, The Modern is again undeniably tending towards Gluttony in the sense that the Modern man is positively encouraged not to exercise self-control over material things.
3. Charity vs Greed: The Greed here represents the opposite of self-sacrifice (Charity as a virtue is not the restricted sense of giving alms to the beggars. It is agape or self-sacrifice). I would again confidently say that the Modern is tending towards self-centered nature or Greed, as living for oneself is what is being rewarded more and more today and the tendency is on the rise towards future.
4. Diligence vs Sloth: I am confused about this. The Modern definitely values Diligence (persistence, effort etc). But, again, there is every reason to think that laziness is also a part of his values. But, since the Modern does not reward sloth in the end, I would say Diligence is his value.
5. Patience vs Wrath: At a societal level, the democratic structures imposes patience as a value upon the Modern. But, at a personal level, Wrath is what defines him. Here, Wrath is not anger alone, but rather an inability to endure hostility or the lack of forgiveness. The democratic structures being a derivation of the virtues of the medieval man, I would argue that, in the long run, it cannot stand in its present form if in conflict with the fundamental value of a society. Hence, I would argue that Wrath could seep into the societal structures in the long run. Quick actions and hostile reactions is what is rewarded today.
6. Kindness vs Envy: This is a no-brainer. Envy is actually a passion for the Modern. Its culture thrives on the disposition to be envious.
7. Humility vs Pride: Another no-brainer. The man who thinks more of himself is rewarded. Humility is a weakness for the Modern, being proud is what defines him.
Wow!!! Certainly we have evolved, at least with respect to virtues. What is fascinating is - can the Modern sustain his progress once the virtues of the medieval man, that still sticks to its societal structures like cobwebs, are swept off by the newer trending values? Can innovation and technology sustain in a society driven by Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Envy and Pride (Diligence being the only virtue continuing from the distant past)? The words sound really bad, but that is because we are still under the shadows of the medieval virtues. What if the question is rephrased as - Can innovation and technology sustain in a society driven by Physical passion, Consumerism, Self-orientation, Diligence, Perfection, Opportunism and Immodesty? Or, more importantly, has innovation and technology has turned a corner to promote these values itself?
Sloth is calling me : Its Brazil vs Chile. See you later.
The Modern man has indeed progressed a lot. Often, we are excited by how smart our next generation is. Even their toys are our wonders. The medieval man look more like an evolved ape in terms of technology when compared to the modern. The question was - can the Modern sustain this progress? If yes, what could drive it? The answer suggested was Technology. By continuous technological invention, we can sustain this progress. Moving from lesser efficient technology to more efficient technology, we can always meet the pressures that a progressing civilization demand, so the only thing that is absolutely required is the search for efficiency and innovation.
At first thought, it was indeed an idea that captures the essence of human progression. So, nothing against it. But, putting it against the article on virtues was fascinating. What drives innovation and the quest for efficiency? Do they come automatically to a civilization? Can they act as foundational pieces of humanity - like quarks for example? I felt that these factors, howsoever significant, do not go down to that level. The number of people who really want to innovate by their genes or disposition are far too less, in my experience. Neither are people tuned to look for efficiency in everything they do. The opposite seems to be the case most often. Innovation and efficiency, when present, often are effect of a system that cultivates it. In other words, there are other values or virtues that promote innovation and efficiency. Virtues as a concept seemed to more fundamental in defining human progress.
So, what are the Modern's virtues? Instead of trying to figure it out by sheer observation, I thought of using the medieval virtues and sins as a baseline. The outcome was indeed fascinating.
(For the sake of clarity, I should say this upfront. Human nature has all these seven virtues and sins times immemorial, and it will continue to have. But that's not the point. What defines the social structures of a particular society, or what a particular society rewards or aspires to, is its virtue).
1. Chastity vs Lust: The Modern undeniably is tending towards Lust as its value, since the 1960s sexual revolution. People admire Lust, and is rewarded by Lust.
2. Temperance vs Gluttony: Here, gluttony does not have the restricted sense of eating more food. It is about the lack of self-control towards material things. So, in that sense, The Modern is again undeniably tending towards Gluttony in the sense that the Modern man is positively encouraged not to exercise self-control over material things.
3. Charity vs Greed: The Greed here represents the opposite of self-sacrifice (Charity as a virtue is not the restricted sense of giving alms to the beggars. It is agape or self-sacrifice). I would again confidently say that the Modern is tending towards self-centered nature or Greed, as living for oneself is what is being rewarded more and more today and the tendency is on the rise towards future.
4. Diligence vs Sloth: I am confused about this. The Modern definitely values Diligence (persistence, effort etc). But, again, there is every reason to think that laziness is also a part of his values. But, since the Modern does not reward sloth in the end, I would say Diligence is his value.
5. Patience vs Wrath: At a societal level, the democratic structures imposes patience as a value upon the Modern. But, at a personal level, Wrath is what defines him. Here, Wrath is not anger alone, but rather an inability to endure hostility or the lack of forgiveness. The democratic structures being a derivation of the virtues of the medieval man, I would argue that, in the long run, it cannot stand in its present form if in conflict with the fundamental value of a society. Hence, I would argue that Wrath could seep into the societal structures in the long run. Quick actions and hostile reactions is what is rewarded today.
6. Kindness vs Envy: This is a no-brainer. Envy is actually a passion for the Modern. Its culture thrives on the disposition to be envious.
7. Humility vs Pride: Another no-brainer. The man who thinks more of himself is rewarded. Humility is a weakness for the Modern, being proud is what defines him.
Wow!!! Certainly we have evolved, at least with respect to virtues. What is fascinating is - can the Modern sustain his progress once the virtues of the medieval man, that still sticks to its societal structures like cobwebs, are swept off by the newer trending values? Can innovation and technology sustain in a society driven by Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Wrath, Envy and Pride (Diligence being the only virtue continuing from the distant past)? The words sound really bad, but that is because we are still under the shadows of the medieval virtues. What if the question is rephrased as - Can innovation and technology sustain in a society driven by Physical passion, Consumerism, Self-orientation, Diligence, Perfection, Opportunism and Immodesty? Or, more importantly, has innovation and technology has turned a corner to promote these values itself?
Sloth is calling me : Its Brazil vs Chile. See you later.
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