The Work of Philosophy

"This [the U.S. Constitution] is likely to be administered for a course of years and then end in despotism... when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other." Benjamin Franklin What is the process by which the people become so corrupted? I believe it is a matter of not paying attention to the great needs of life: loyalty, fidelity, bravery, faith. Franklin spoke during a period of turmoil and war during which all these virtues were demanded of the citizenry. It is not war we require, rather the focus on the great virtues called forth by our noblest passions. It is the work of Philosophy to keep our focus on the Good and to keep our understanding of what is Good clear and elevated, not permitting it to be degraded. There is so much that degrades us in our civilization. Politicians seek power. They do not have good ideas. The best of them find good men and women with good ideas and build upon them. It is the work of Philosophy to provide these ideas; good ideas, not the tripe Alfred Rosenberg supplied to Hitler, but the inspiration to godliness and nobility. We have come through a period during which our nobility has been brought low, our faith has left the church and entered into public fray, our loyalty has been betrayed by those who should have been our leaders. Let us leave it behind with a sign of relief. Let us turn to good women and men who may assist us to retrieve our stature.