Hmmm . . . . Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis. It’s at the Synthesis stage that the next level is attained, so perhaps a better version of the Hegelian upward line would look like stairs?

Show me what you mean about the floral design when you get home. My brain can’t see it yet. :-)

What about the Hegelian dialectical view of history? I want to see the jagged line of progress! *looks fussy* Dialectical!!!!! Materialism!!!

(if you put the drawing of apocalyptic Chty next to the one of redemption history, they kind of make that floral petal design you were remarking on yesterday.)

Had I merely seen Micah’s mention of them and been able to resist the urge to Google them, things would have been much better.

It’s still Micah’s fault though. He shattered my blissful ignorance.

By the way, Scott, you should definitely check out http://www.vhemt.org. My favorite bit was an “intelligence test” where they ask “In light of the 40,000 children dying of malnutrition each day, and considering the number of species going extinct as a result of our excessive reproduction, do you think it would be a good idea to create another of yourself?” If you answer yes, you get “We’re sorry, your intelligence is not high enough to perform basic logic. Thank you for trying. Please consider the many options to creating ‘one of your own.’” If you answer no, you get “Congratulations! You’re smart enough to pass on your genes. Thanks for not doing so.”

Note the presence of my current hobbyhorse, the unthinking equation of intellect with moral worth. (Even though, paradoxically, they believe the most intelligent species, humans, is the least valuable.) Also note the breathtaking ignorance and lack of ability to perform simple logic which is present throughout the site and the even more breathtaking arrogance about their own (fairly unimpressive) intellects. These folks give Nietzsche a run for his money for most undeserved egomania.

By the by, whether the Left is more correct than the Right in this country or vice versa, I have no idea. (I’ve argued before on this site that I think both views come about through epistemic irrationality.) I do think that the Right is likely to have at least a temporary victory in a generation or two, though, through outbreeding their opposition.

I feel as though they should receive some sort of special Darwin award for their efforts.

Never read it, but heard it summarized.

I shall label your view of history the “stock-market view.” I like it. Lots of ups and downs but generally trending up.

And you’re right about the modernists not necessarily seeing history as going up forever. Many (for instance Hegel) thought/think history levels off (essentially: comes to an end, since development stops) eventually, when things have reached their highest point.

Once pure mind is reached, once universal peace and rationality are achieved, we have hit eternal paradise, in which there is nowhere further to go. It’s an attractive view in many ways.

It does seem to be the logical consequence of the idea that humans are the only unnatural species.