"We should never make any permanent commitment to any doctrines but instead assume a perpetual attitude of inquiry. Contentment, said Montaigne, is possible only when we achieve a tranquility of mind. What disturbs this tranquility is the attempt to go beyond our ordinary experiences and penetrate the inner nature of things. The saddest spectacle of all is to find people formulating final answers on questions that are far too subtle and variable for such treatment. The final folly of this attempt is the attitude of fanaticism and dogmatism." (Commentary on the Skepticism of the French political philosopher Montaigne)
I have always been troubled by the fact that I can never seem to arrive at, or adopt, absolute political or social conclusions. I consider myself somewhat engaged and well-informed (at least more than average) in such questions. Yet I find myself frequently dissatisfied with both sides of an argument or often persuaded easily by the latest argument I hear. Social Welfare States vs. Privatization for example is one question that seems to offer no final answer as to which one is more conducive to the production of wealth and security of the individual. Reading this quote made me feel better about not being able to claim clairvoyance and finality on such topics. I can continually seek answers and not necessarily have to come down on one side or the other. This attitude, however, cannot apply to spiritual matters where we affirm the ability to arrive at absolute truth. Not that we can't arrive at absolute truth in secular matters as well, just that our approach must be more open to changing knowledge.
2 comments:
Excellent writing and thinking Tim. I would disagree with one of your assertions a little, however. While, for many, it may seem essential to arrive at absolute truths in the spiritual realm, I beleive and have found that many of the same dangers that await us when we decide too rigidly on social or intellectual issues are encountered in spiritual matters as well. In fact, I find that spiritual matters and social and intellectual matters all inform each other quite significantly and it is always useful to keep an open mind.... I read it expressed thus recently--rather cheesy--but still profound "You'll never discover the oceans until you lose sight of the shore".... thoughts?
I think I understand what you're saying Nate. I drew a distinct line between allowing skepticism in secular as opposed to the spiritual realm which maybe is more blurry than I admit. I think what I want to say is that in certain basic things you can know the absolute truth. I think you have to. That is my belief and in fact my knowledge. I don't think though that if you stick to the basics that it would invite prejudice or false conclusions as long as you have an open mind to specific issues.
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