I like my wayback machine. It sweeps me back to beginnings, so that I might find a solid footing on this curious curvaceous path of American history. So I want to go back to the renaissance, back to the enlightenment, back to the Western civilization birth of reason- the rational mind. This was a big deal back then. It exploded the previous dark-age open in a burst of light. We call that time the “enlightenment,” for a good “reason.”
It just so happened that our founders were immersed in that age, and in the creativity bursting forth. I want to focus in on just a few of the understandings that came to light. I think it was John Locke who claimed that a person is an end in him/her (no her then) self, not just a vassal for another’s interests.
This sounds obvious now, but was radical then. No prince would lower himself to the level of his peasant workers, and see human equality there. Yet, somehow, the idea of equality found its way into our founding structures.
Then there was the notion that rational people could work out their differences without recourse to violence. They could rise above their base instincts. This was another radical idea – mind over emotion – to be reason-able.
Finally there was reason applied to justice, and to the laws that were enacted. The whimsy of a king no longer applied. Justice must be available to all, etc.
I know what you’re thinking: ‘This has obviously not worked out that well. Was the Age of Reason just wishful thinking?” I guess that might be, but consider that the very structures of our government and culture are built on those enlightenment principles. They are us. Yet they can be overwhelmed by ideological fantasy and force. Our structures are fragile indeed, and reason wavers on the brink these days.
Our founders were not unaware of the fragility of reason, but had no other option in their design of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They certainly didn’t have monarchy in mind (although some liked aristocracy). No, this had to be about “We the People.”
I’m writing this the weekend after the inauguration, and I have watched Reason stand its ground. It was/is the historic time of my life of soon to be 75 years. I’ve seen a lot in my time, but this past year is at the top of the list. I realize that a fantasy-land reality still stalks the scene, but the structures Reason built have held – at least for now. Hopefully we can now get around to dealing with our realities on the ground – too many to name. This I know: Reason Loves Understanding, Understanding Loves Relationship, and Relationship is all there Is. Therefore Reason must prevail if Relationship is to thrive. This just seems reason-able to me.
So hooray for the Age of Reason, may it forever trump fantasy and the denial of Truth, in its long and enduring struggle.
Chip Schoefter writes from Montezuma County, Colo.
