Secret of Success - Why the West Went Ahead of the Rest
Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 7 months ago to Philosophy
Excerpt:
"Seemingly dormant in its effectiveness until the 15th century, the Western seed eventually asserted itself and gained momentum in mainstream society. And the meme in its subtle ways influenced, lubricated, and enabled an explosion of creativity, an accumulation of surplus, an intricate division of labor, a philosophy of individual rights, a reduction in the exploitation of human beings, and an increase in adventurous risk-taking, all working in sync and with increasing social cohesion."
"Seemingly dormant in its effectiveness until the 15th century, the Western seed eventually asserted itself and gained momentum in mainstream society. And the meme in its subtle ways influenced, lubricated, and enabled an explosion of creativity, an accumulation of surplus, an intricate division of labor, a philosophy of individual rights, a reduction in the exploitation of human beings, and an increase in adventurous risk-taking, all working in sync and with increasing social cohesion."
SOURCE URL: http://www.libertyunbound.com/node/1399
This statement is clear nonsense "Perhaps Greek and Roman philosophy created an environment of rationality conducive to the emergence of Christ."
Reason comes first, then respect for individual rights and the idea that they think for themselves, then property rights - particularly rights in inventions, which then leads to the only thing that increases real per capital increases in wealth - an invention (technology) explosion.
And, I've read the article itself, and was about to post a somewhat positive response...however...
I'm new to the Gulch, but not so new that I don't know and respect both posters.
So, I have learned to pause, reread everything, and return later.
And to prove I'm not a tease: I thought the first two thirds of the article were a wasted set up of a "strawman", or two. And then, the author came up with something close to what is true.
OTOH, dbh's objections made me pause...
So now, in the greatest respect for both authors, and this site, I must step back and think about this for myself.
This is the gulch ( a conversation) not an academic paper. You will have to have to be pretty mean, but actually dishonest, for me to be upset. So give me your best shot - so to speak.
I read Guns, Germs, and Steel about 10 years ago. I can't remember if Diamond explains the Middle Ages (aka the Dark Ages).