No wonder conservatives' heads keep exploding; The ‘Enlightenment’ keeps on winning

[meow2u3]

If you study history, you’ll see episodes that changed civilization. For example, in Ancient Greece, for the first time, bright thinkers sought natural explanations for the world around them, instead of believing that phenomena were caused by gods and spirits. This started the science-versus-religion clash that still roils 25 centuries later.

Here’s another landmark: Around three centuries ago, major thinkers began advocating democracy, human rights and personal freedoms. Their period became known as the Enlightenment. It launched the long-running liberals-versus-conservatives conflict still driving much of today’s politics.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) wrote that life can be “nasty, brutish and short” unless people bind themselves into a “social contract” under a government that protects them. Hobbes implied that kings don’t rule by divine right, and that ultimate authority lies with the citizenry. Bishops tried to have Hobbes executed as an atheist, but Hobbes burned his papers and sometimes hid in exile.

John Locke (1632-1704) denied that kings are chosen by God, and recommended the separation of church and state to prevent faith-based wars and massacres. An early advocate of democracy, Locke argued that government must rest on consent from the governed.

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article36749901.html#storylink=cpy

Final score: Liberals 19, conservatves 1 (Prohibition, which was a short-lived victory)

[Rex]

1. They keep hoping and praying the facts will start rolling their way.

Just like when they declare the exact day Jesus will show up with a couple of Star Destroyers. Never happens, after centuries of that level of fail...I guess it starts to mess with their DNA. Cons are born with failure DNA. Maybe some strive and move beyond their inherent dysfunctionality. Don't see many of those imo.

Just look at the cons now...they are getting ousted by a group of flat earthers that breath fire and drink hate.

[Adrahil]

5. It haems thrpugh natural selection...

No sane person wants to reproduce with that kind of crazy.

[Volaris]

6. Lol @ 'failure DNA'...

[pansypoo53219]

2. we have prohibition 2.0, the drug war. just as stupid.

[roguevalley]

3. good article. we are in brighter days because we will have to change or die

[pampango]

4. "The Enlightenment not only produced modern democracy, it also laid the foundation of liberal

political values still winning victories today. For three centuries, by fits and starts, Western progress has been mostly a chronicle of progressives defeating conservative resistance. Reformers repeatedly toppled old privileges, hierarchies and establishments."

On and on, through recurring cultural battles, progressive principles that began in the Enlightenment have prevailed. For three centuries, liberals generally have won, conservatives lost.

What will be the next front in the culture war? Legal marijuana? Pistol registration? Free college? Whatever comes, it’s probably safe to predict the eventual winner.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.” However, some University of Michigan scholars recently concluded that the notion of “the right side of history” is a myth — there’s no guarantee that future events will extend past democratic breakthroughs. Terrible reversals could occur. Nonetheless, the transformation loosed by the Enlightenment is a fact. I hope the progressive pattern keeps rolling forever.