Virtue in Late Civilization

In an interview excerpt, Dr. Benedict Beckeld explains the difference between virtue in a civilization's early phase and virtue in its late phase.
Link to original interview: • Oikophobia, Victimhood...
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[@matsa2620]

Good point!

[@BenedictBeckeld]

Thanks!

[@sylvarogre5469]

It cuts off right as it gets really interesting.

[@BenedictBeckeld]

The main point is complete, but for fuller context you can check out the main video (link in the description); it's around the 53rd minute.

[@rogerbooth-entity-cruncher]

Reminded me of one of O'Brien's conversations with Winston.

[@BenedictBeckeld]

Oh, interesting. I read that as a teenager and don't really remember the details.

[@rogerbooth-entity-cruncher]

@@BenedictBeckeld I tried to get a brief summary from chatGPT: O'Brien's conversation with Winston highlights the Party's control over history and reality, as they can manipulate the past and people's perception of it. The concept of solipsism is used in this context to emphasize that the Party can shape reality and history according to its needs and that individual experiences and perceptions are ultimately unimportant in the face of the Party's power. So in this case, the Party became the new paradigm.

[@BenedictBeckeld]

Great, thanks for doing the research! I certainly remember enjoying the book.

[@sterlingveil]

Almost no one ever REALLY thinks they're living in late-stage civilization, although some people pine for it. Unless someone has a bunker prepped with years of dry food, I'll bet, deep down, they don't really believe these are the end times of civilization.

[@BenedictBeckeld]

"Late-stage" civilization and "end times" of civilization are two very different things. We are living in a late and declining stage of our civilization, but this does not mean that I think the apocalypse is around the corner. I make this point very explicit in my "Western Self-Contempt", and I explain the historical reasoning behind the distinction. But I agree with you that some people are pining for the end times; I'm definitely not one of those.