Save Western Civilization & Culture

 (This article updated from an original article on willhemingway.com radio show site December 1996)

Looking around the Western Nations we see the clear evidence of the following cycle:

Strong men create good times,
Good times create weak men,
Weak men create hard times,
Hard times create strong men.

Sadly, the West has been successful for several generations allowing its peoples to become weak and slothful. They are squandering the success of their forebearers. They are so divorced from the pain and suffering required to create such success that they perceive no value in it. Sadly, they, we, will forfeit the wonders of our cultures forcing our successors to suffer and fight to regain what we already have.

Across millennia no successful advanced culture has survived the cycle. I believe that we have a chance to break that trend. Over the past 100 years man in the free world has made massive advances. Those advances in communication and technology, to name a few, are unmatched in recorded history. The success of the West has forever altered the way and means by which we learn and compare empirical data. If we learn to apply critical thinking, learn to discern fact from fallacy, and apply creative problem-solving skills our societies and cultures can survive.

I believe that adherence to a set of stoic values is the answer that will save the West. Philosophers, politicians, and sociologists offer complex theories and predict doom and decay based upon a series of self-fulfilling hypothesis. I say apply the principle of Occam’s Razor, Stoic Values. As a Stoic my entire adult life, I have found the power of stoic values frees us from the "drama" and stress wrought from parabolic, emotion driven perspectives. The values guide us to curb the natural human desire for self-gratification. If you are able to override the desire for immediate pleasure and self-interest you will be able to succeed at levels otherwise unattainable. Self-reliance is the gift of living a stoic life. Freedom from destructive hedonistic pursuits and the clarity of mind which comes with it open immeasurable opportunities for greatness.

A key factor of Stoicism is the bridling of emotion. Emotion causes a lack of clarity, lacks analytical thought, and typically ignores logic. Stoicism teaches its practitioners to safely limit emotion to fair and thoughtful levels.

The common modern definition of Stoicism is the presentation of its four core virtues; moderation, courage, wisdom, and justice. I believe that Stoic life is the realization of Occam’s Razor. Stoicism is simple, a life of moderation, free of emotional, illogical mood swings and tantrums, calm, respectful, humble, and thoughtfulness is the goal. If one strives for and succeeds at that goal they are able to live ethically and, where necessary, mete out justice fairly and evenly. The stoic calm frees the mind of wasted pursuits and conflicts allowing the gathering of data, knowledge, and wisdom efficiently. Humility and just behavior being virtues, stoics are a positive force in society.

The natural human desire to satiate their id is their downfall. Epicurus is often accused of being the antithesis of Stoicism. Wikipedia presents the Epicurean approach is a form of hedonism. That is not correct. Epicurus believed that pleasure was the greatest good. According to Epicurus, one may attain a state of ataraxia, (tranquility, peace,) freedom of fear, and an absence of aponia (bodily pain) through living a modest life, awareness of sociology and human nature, and finally limiting your desires. In fact, that sounds awfully close to how Cicero; one of the iconic fathers of the Stoic movement, explained Stoicism.

Hedonism is a key component of leftist population control. Trotsky, Hitler, Marx, Lenin, Stalin, and Mao all pushed drugs, sexual promiscuity, and other hedonistic behaviors on the young. Lenin said that if they softened the youth, with those things, they would be able to do whatever they wanted to the populace within a generation without a fight. They were right. I am not arguing for a Puritanical way of life, not at all. Simply put, we need to teach our young and remind the rest of the populace, that living stoically will yield far more success and happiness than hedonistic pursuits. This is battle for the long game, not short lived pleasures.

The way we win is not by waiting for the nanny state or government to do this. We must stand up and take charge. Lead by example, renew your commitment, teach your children, and present the idea to others every day. It will run like a virus. Most people want to feel empowered and happy. Give them the tools and understanding to attain those desires in a fulfilling and lasting way.

#SaveWesternCivilization