Not the End, but the Beginning

There are some big problems in our world today, and people are looking for answers. Given the difficulty of our task, and it would be convenient if we could rely on some existing institutions to help us figure out what to do, or at least where to start. Unfortunately the answers we are given are often not just wrong answers, but non-answers.

For example, ethics is an important problem, surrounded by difficult questions. But the answers people give us are not very useful.

Why should I be good?—“Because God will punish you if you aren’t!”

What is the definition of ‘good’?—“Whatever your parents or teachers tell you!”

How do I know what is good?—“You cannot know anything!”

We have all heard these and other non-answers. When we don’t know the answer to important questions about how to live our lives, we experience great anxiety. Because almost no one can answer these questions, almost everyone just makes up answers to avoid that anxiety.

Social organization is another complex subject.

How should I resolve disputes?—“Have the government shoot people if they disagree with you!”

How can I protect my property?—“Have the government seize half of it in taxes first!”

What is the best way to protect myself?—“Have the government threaten your life and create international instability!”

Two institutions in particular are responsible for perpetuating these non-answers: the church, and the state.

When we clear away the illusion of answers and realize the truth that we do not know the best way to answer these questions, then we can finally start to solve them.

The end of religion is not the end of ethics, but the beginning.

The end of the state is not the end of social order, but the beginning.

Honesty and voluntarism are not the end of virtue, but the beginning.