Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NJ
[Smoking tobacco cigarettes invites health problems.
No one should smoke tobacco cigarettes.
So why would anyone desire to smoke?
The element of desire is not so obvious and is nonsensical.]
07/18/18
Category Archives: Our current Lebenswelt is not the Lebenswelt that we evolved in
Human psychology evolved under in the social milieu of constrained complexity. Currently, humans live in unconstrained complexity. What has this done to our minds? These topics are addressed in various parts of An Archaeology of the Fall, particularly in chapters 8C and 11B.
07/17/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NI
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[Each sovereigninfra demands ‘something2a’.
Often, this is a prohibition.
For example, smoking tobacco cigarettes was rendered taboo in the 1990s.
A health-minded sovereigninfra decreed, “The subject shall not smoke cigarettes.”
I want to explore this example because the elements of conversion are obvious and sensical.]
07/16/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NH
[The passage of an institution from point 1 to point 3 changes the message of the institution.
The message goes from conversion by persuasion (or example) to conversion by the sword.
All sovereigns have the sword, so why not use it?
If the objectorganization is so important that it must be imposed by sovereign power, it is important enough to worship as an idol.
Thus, sovereign religions veer towards idolatry.]
07/13/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NG
[Politics substitutes for religion, in the passage of an institution from point 1 to point 3.
Political machinations become a screen for religious convictions.
There is much to be said about this.
However, the topic is far from Schoonenberg’s text.]
07/11/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NE
Summary of text [comment] page 83
Schoonenberg wrote that we exercise freedom in serving either God or Satan.
[Now, let me consider Satan in the guise of an (infra)sovereign religion and how it plays into ‘the thought experiment where ‘I choose something’‘.]
07/10/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 ND
Summary of text [comment] page 83
[‘Responsibility3(2’ and ‘freedom2(1)’ expand or contract together.
Responsibilities3a(2a contextualize and embrace the somethings2a that my freedom2a(1a) supports.
Contrary to Modernism’s false opposition, responsibilities and freedom are in co-opposition.]
07/9/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NC
[The technical term is ‘reciprocity’
Each of us intuitively knows that nothing is truly free. To accept a gift is to accept the responsibilities of reciprocity.
This raises a fascinating sociological question:
How does one engage in reciprocity with an institution?]
07/6/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 NB
[Would anyone offer you anything for ‘free’ (without apparent cost or obligation) in the short run, unless they hoped that the exchange would ‘obligate you, in the long run’?
An alternate approach is to offer ‘free stuff’ means ‘ with strings attached.
These strings (words) are co-opposed to bondage.]
07/2/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 MY
[Progressive values1b are supposed to underlie our choices2b.
There should be no contradictions, when values1b align with desire1a.
Our choices2b touch base with Schoonenberg’s use of the word “service3b”.
Some value1b must be worth serving3b.]
Schoonenberg wrote that we exercise freedom in serving either God or Satan.
06/28/18
Man and Sin by Piet Schoonenberg (1964) 2.3 MW
[Progressive institutions insist on a litany of obligations, expressing what the citizen ought to be. Their demands backed by the sword of the sovereign.
Progressive institutions compete with the family, tribe and religion. They want to be responsible for you (not to you).
They work through words: legal codes, deceptive labels, surveillance, indoctrination, mandatory education, rewriting history, agenda setting, ridicule and ostracism.]