“Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart?” (Job 38:36)
There comes a time for a person and a nation to ponder over deep questions of life. Survivors from near death experiences wake up both literally and metaphorically. Not all of them, but some reevaluate their existence. Like the song a generation past, they ask: “What’s it all about, Alphie?” It happens to nations—or some of them. It’s not random. The awakening of philosophy rises up for a people at a specific time and occasion. America is not there yet.
Pride is not a problem for Americans. We’re full of it. We celebrate our freedoms of speech, religion and assembly. We cherish our rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We portray ourselves as models for emulation to the rest of the world. It’s why we invaded Iraq. We did so in order to change the regime in power and to install a secular government somewhat like our own, if that is likely. But even if it were possible to turn the world’s nations into reflections of the United States, what is it we intend to plant universally? Most would call it a way of life, or a life style—but this does not make it a philosophy. Opportunity, freedom, and economic development are means to some end, not ends in themselves. We have all of the above, we thank the Almighty God for it all, but what’s it all for? The good life? How can that be described?
Few of us live like our national demigods, the performers, celebrities and athletes who have far too much money to know what to do with or how to spend; however, even they are not wiser for all their wealth. Our technology has made life easier than ever in the past, and our medical research enhances and lengthens life expectancy—for what purpose? Are the centenarians generally more profound than those who die at fifty?
Is a national philosophy needed? Besides patriotism and prosperity, which are not philosophies and not all considered worthy of true humanity, I wonder if in my lifetime the question will be broached. What would be the ingredients of a national philosophy? Could most if not all Americans agree in principle to uphold certain values? Patriotism itself is not enough. Every group, society and nation has a survival instinct. Hedonism is rampant—“Eat, drink, celebrate: Soon we’ll be dead” is unworthy of humanity. But what positive truths identify us as Americans?
One possible response is that we don’t need a philosophy because we have religion. Many religions, in fact. It’s the American way. Religion transcends philosophy, because religion posits a deity giving meaning to all of life. But the term “religion” means “binding up.” One’s religion unites everything a person believes, cares about and even would die for. America honors the right of each person to believe as she or he wishes; but no single faith represents all Americans. So even religion does not unite us as one nation.
Zbigniew Brzezinski, former National Security Advisor in The Choice states that America will be the sole superpower for several generations: Europe is too disunited, Russia lost the Cold War, Japan is out of the race, and China will take at least two generations to iron out its political difficulties. But what will we do with the power thrust upon us, to inspire the world to a new and better civilization? We who are endowed with noblesse oblige, the responsibility to do more than to dominate and exploit the universe ought to leave as our lasting legacy more than superior golf balls and Nintendo games to posterity. Let us pray that America not squander this unique precious historical opportunity.