The Decline of Human Energy - Part I: The Shift in Cultural Dynamics
Why we are losing the power to reason, create, and reflect
This is Part 1 of a four-part series on The Decline of Human Energy.
Introduction
Overview: In recent decades, a profound shift in societal values has emerged, marked by a move away from objective morality and disciplined living towards a landscape dominated by subjective morality and hedonism. This cultural transformation has profound implications, not least of which is a noticeable decline in what can be described as human energy—the essential capacity to reason, create, and reflect. Traditionally anchored in steadfast moral frameworks and bolstered by communal standards of behavior, this vital energy has fueled the engine of innovation and the reflective depths of philosophical and artistic achievement throughout history. However, as modern societies increasingly embrace relativism and self-indulgence, the foundational pillars that support intellectual vigor and creative pursuits are being eroded. This decline is not merely about a loss of societal cohesion but reflects a deeper erosion of the personal drive and mental acuity necessary for progress and introspection.
Philosophers and theologians like St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas have long argued that moral clarity derived from an objective standard is crucial for full intellectual and spiritual development. In parallel, anthropological studies by figures such as J.D. Unwin have empirically linked the vitality of civilizations to their adherence to strict moral codes, particularly in terms of sexual restraint. Furthermore, G.K. Chesterton’s critiques of modern pride and the abandonment of humility underscore an additional dimension where the inflated self distorts both perception and output. The collective departure from these disciplined paths towards a more selfish and pleasure-seeking existence has diminished our capacity to tackle complex problems creatively and stunted our collective ability to reflect on deeper truths, ultimately stalling personal and societal evolution. As we delve deeper into the consequences of this shift, it becomes imperative to examine the outcomes and underlying choices that drive our current trajectory.
Historical and Philosophical Foundations
St. Augustine on Objective Morality
St. Augustine, one of the seminal figures in developing Western Christianity and philosophy, steadfastly championed the necessity of objective moral laws grounded in faith in God. For Augustine, these moral laws were not arbitrary but were essential for aligning human nature with its divine purpose and the greater order of the universe. According to his theological system, as outlined in works like “City of God,” true freedom and energy—both personal and communal—are only achieved through submission to God’s eternal laws. He argued that when societies adhere to these divine precepts, they cultivate virtues like justice, prudence, and fortitude, which are critical for maintaining societal order and harmony.
However, Augustine also warned of the dire consequences when societies stray from this path. The abandonment of objective morality in favor of subjective interpretations and desires leads to what he termed a “disordered love.” This disorientation manifests in moral chaos and a tangible depletion of energy within the community. As virtues give way to vices, the societal fabric begins to fray, and individuals lose the moral clarity that energizes purposeful action. The result is a community less capable of reasoning, creating, and reflecting deeply, as its members are increasingly driven by base desires rather than guided by transcendent truths.
Augustine’s insights underscore a critical aspect of the modern decline in human energy. The shift towards subjective morality and the erosion of disciplined living reflect a broader move away from the structured, purpose-driven life that Augustine posited as ideal. This degradation of societal and individual vitality sets the stage for exploring further philosophical underpinnings with St. Thomas Aquinas, who builds upon Augustinian thought with his profound synthesis of Christian theology and Aristotelian philosophy.
St. Thomas Aquinas on Human Reason and Morality
St. Thomas Aquinas, a pivotal figure in medieval scholasticism, expanded upon the ideas of his predecessors, like St. Augustine, by intricately weaving together human reason and divine moral law. Aquinas posited that reason and faith are not antagonistic but complementary forces, each vital to understanding and actualizing the human experience in accordance with God’s design. At the heart of Aquinas’s philosophy, detailed in his seminal work Summa Theologica, is the conviction that human reason reflects the divine intellect and is given to humanity to discern the truths of the natural world and comprehend divine laws.
According to Aquinas, moral clarity is achieved when human reason is correctly applied to divine laws, which are universal and unchanging. This clarity is an academic exercise and a practical guide that enhances human creativity and intellect by aligning them with ultimate truths. When individuals and societies align their actions with these objective moral standards, they not only fulfill their natural purposes but also unlock a higher potential for innovation and reflection. For Aquinas, virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance are cultivated through this alignment, each contributing to a holistic enhancement of the individual’s capacities to think, create, and evaluate.
St. Thomas Aquinas further elaborated on the role of human reason in engaging with divine moral law. Aquinas posited that human reason is a gift from God that elevates individuals by enabling them to see and enact God’s will on earth. His teachings suggest that a proper understanding and application of moral law not only refines human nature but also enhances our capacity to engage in higher forms of thinking and creating. As we transition from discussing Augustine’s foundational views, exploring Aquinas’ integration of reason and morality will provide deeper insights into how abandoning objective moral standards impacts societal order and the intellectual and creative capacities essential for human flourishing.
Aquinas’s teachings on the synergy between reason and divine moral law are particularly relevant to understanding the decline in human energy due to moving away from these foundational principles. The abandonment of objective moral laws favoring subjective morality and hedonistic pursuits corresponds with a noticeable degradation in the quality of human thought and creative output. This shift impacts societal structures and diminishes the individual’s ability to engage in deep, reflective thought, thereby stunting intellectual and cultural development.
Aquinas’s framework suggests that the revitalization of human energy hinges on a re-engagement of these timeless truths. By restoring reason’s role in navigating moral life according to divine law, individuals and societies can recover the vigor necessary for creative and intellectual pursuits. This return to a principled way of living could potentially reverse the intellectual and moral lethargy trends evident in contemporary culture. Next, we will delve into J.D. Unwin’s anthropological studies, which empirically support these philosophical claims by linking the vitality of civilizations to their adherence to strict moral codes, thereby offering a practical examination of Aquinas’s theoretical propositions.
J.D. Unwin’s Research on Civilizational Energy
J.D. Unwin, a British anthropologist and social scientist, conducted extensive research into the social structures of various civilizations and published his findings in the 1934 book “Sex and Culture.” Unwin’s work is critical for understanding the empirical underpinnings of how sexual behaviors impact societal vitality and longevity. According to his research, there was a direct correlation between the flourishing of civilizations and their strict regulation of sexual conduct.
Unwin studied about 80 societies and what he labeled as “six great civilizations” through their historical records to determine the impact of sexual restraint on societal energy and progress. He found that societies exhibiting higher degrees of sexual restraint in prenuptial and extramarital contexts showed greater social and architectural complexity, increased productivity, and greater artistic and scientific achievement. Conversely, those societies that loosened these strictures typically entered a state of decline within a few generations. Unwin hypothesized that sexual discipline channeled human energy from personal, often hedonistic pursuits toward collective, societal goals, including technological innovation and cultural development.
Unwin’s research provides a compelling case study that complements the philosophical insights and moral teachings of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. His empirical observations suggest that the decline in human energy marked by diminished creativity, reasoning, and reflective thought can be partially attributed to modern society’s shift away from strict moral codes and towards greater sexual and moral freedom. While often celebrated as a liberation from traditional constraints, this shift has had unintended dire consequences for societal vigor and individual intellectual energy.
Unwin’s conclusions offer a grounding for the discussion on restoring discipline and objective moral guidelines to rejuvenate human creative and intellectual capacities. By examining historical patterns as evidenced in Unwin’s work, it becomes clear that societal health and energy are contingent upon maintaining a balance between personal freedoms and communal moral standards. Next, we will build on this foundation by exploring G.K. Chesterton’s critique of modern pride and the loss of humility, further elucidating how these moral and cultural shifts impact the human psyche and societal stability.
G.K. Chesterton on Pride and Humility
G.K. Chesterton, an influential English writer and Christian apologist, extensively critiqued the cultural shifts towards modern pride, rejecting traditional virtues like humility. In his works, such as “Orthodoxy” and “The Everlasting Man,” Chesterton argued that humility is foundational to Christian morality and a balanced and reflective life. He saw humility as the virtue that allows individuals to see themselves and the world more clearly, without the distortions of ego.
Chesterton contended that modern pride—the excessive belief in one’s own abilities or importance—skews perception and judgment. This inflated sense of self leads to various social and personal problems, primarily because it obstructs a truthful engagement with the world. Pride, according to Chesterton, encourages individuals to overestimate their knowledge and understanding, dismissing traditional wisdom and objective moral truths. This hubris can diminish the capacity for critical reflection, as individuals are less likely to question their assumptions or consider perspectives beyond their own.
Moreover, Chesterton argued that when society collectively turns away from humility and embraces pride, it loses the ability to reason effectively. True reasoning requires acknowledging one’s limitations and being open to dialogue and correction—qualities pride actively undermines. The rejection of humility in favor of pride thus not only impacts individual character but also degrades public discourse and the intellectual rigor of society as a whole.
Connecting these insights to the broader topic of this article, Chesterton’s critique of modern pride provides a philosophical lens through which to view the current decline in human energy, particularly in the faculties of reason, creation, and reflection. The move away from humility and towards a culture dominated by self-affirmation and subjective truth claims undermines the collective capacity to solve problems and generate new ideas. This cultural shift sets the stage for the next part of this series, “Part II: The Shift to Subjectivism and Its Consequences.”
In Part II, we will delve deeper into how the rise of subjective morality has fragmented the shared ethical foundations that historically supported societal cohesion and collective intellectual endeavors. We will explore the consequences of this fragmentation for individual well-being and societal stability. We will examine how the loss of a common moral language and the rise of individualism impact our ability to address complex challenges together. This examination will underscore the importance of restoring objective moral standards and highlight the critical need for a cultural reevaluation of the values that define our personal and collective lives.