Sunday, December 08, 2013

P r o p o s i t i o n s   f o r   N a s c e n t   T h o u g h t s   o n   L M I


LMI = Language, Morality, Ideology

  1. Reading seventeenth century English radicals reinforces the knowledge that - in those Bible-literate cultures - their appeal to morality was predominantly couched in the language and quotation of scripture as a legitimising force.
  2. In 'Western' cultures, morality (and law) is rooted predominantly in the Judaeo-Christian tradition of Bibical-/revealed truth-legitimation.
  3. For 20th century radicals and leftists, the language of Marx/class was the central armature around which was built the argument for radical change/reformation of society.
  4. Marxism as constituted in its ideological form aspired to the status of science (pseudo-science is a better description).
  5. Mainstream left-socialism eschewed largely eschewed the religious tradition, bundling it together with the 'forces of reaction'.
  6. In the post-Marxist, post-Socialist world, there is a paucity of language/models with which to frame the moral argument for a different way of being (as the language and conceptual frameworks of the mainstream 20th century models have been junked alongside their failed/outmoded/outdated political manifestations). 
  7. The absence of a simple, clear, articulable model of morality/reform leaves the field clear for the status quo's continued dominance.
  8. Language is crucial in framing the case for alternatives/fundamental change/reform; I haven't yet heard/found that compellingly articulated case.
  9. Where is it? On what base will its morality be built?