The Right Side of History

What makes the Western world unique? Its light comes from Jerusalem and Athens, from biblical revelation and reasoned philosophy, creating a foundation of liberty, progress, and moral purpose.

1. True Happiness Stems from Moral Purpose

Happiness isn't about fleeting pleasures but about living a life aligned with a higher moral purpose. This purpose can be found in serving others, pursuing virtue, and fulfilling one’s role in the world responsibly. Both the Bible and ancient Greek philosophers support this view.

The Hebrew Bible uses the term "simcha" to describe joy, which arises from doing what is right in harmony with God’s will. It underscores the idea that true contentment is tied to one’s moral obligations and meaningful work. Similarly, Aristotle, in Athens, viewed happiness as living "the good life," one in which an individual fulfills their inherent purpose.

The absence of this deeper connection leads to despair. Viktor Frankl, a Holocaust survivor, emphasized this point by stating that life’s meaning is found not in what we expect from it but in what it demands of us. Without this moral compass, societies grow discontented.

Examples

• The Bible emphasizes rejoicing in work and purpose as a divine command.
• Aristotle’s philosophy aligns happiness with fulfilling a reasoned purpose.
• Viktor Frankl's observations from World War II validate the survival value of moral meaning.

2. The Bible is the Origin of Equality and Free Will

Western civilization owes its understanding of human equality and free determination to Judeo-Christian teachings. Before the Bible, many societies considered certain people inherently superior, such as Egyptian pharaohs who were believed to be divine.

The biblical story of creation marks a turning point. It declares that all humans are made in God’s image, ensuring parity regardless of status, gender, or wealth. It also introduces free will through Adam and Eve, emphasizing human agency to choose between right and wrong.

These concepts set the stage for modern ideals of progress and choice. Unlike the cyclical views of history in some pagan cultures, the Bible promotes a linear, progressive journey driven by human actions and divine guidance.

Examples

• Genesis declares every human being created in God's image.
• Adam and Eve's fall highlights human free will’s importance.
• Progress as a divine mission contrasts with pagan cyclical views of history.

3. Greek Philosophers Highlighted the Power of Reason

The philosophers of Athens gave us reason—the gift of logical inquiry and exploration. They argued that humans are unique because of this faculty, which empowers them to understand the universe and themselves.

Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle took this further, applying reason not only to nature but to governance and morality. Plato envisioned a society governed by philosopher-kings, while Aristotle advocated a balanced government blending democracy and wisdom. This laid some of the groundwork for modern governance.

Their focus on understanding the world by logical means, not divine myth, also sowed the seeds of science. Pythagoras and Heraclitus sought harmony and logic in nature, paving the way for later scientific revolutions.

Examples

• Aristotle’s ideas of government influence modern checks and balances.
• Pythagoras explored cosmic harmony through mathematics.
• Heraclitus introduced the idea of "logos" (reason) governing the universe.

4. Religion and Science Can Coexist

Contrary to popular belief, Christianity didn’t stifle scientific progress; it often nurtured it. Many early scientists were devout believers who saw science as a way to understand God's creation.

Notable examples include Copernicus, who dedicated his heliocentric theory to the Pope, and Bishop Nicole Oresme, who proposed Earth’s rotation in the fourteenth century. Even Galileo maintained his faith, seeing his discoveries as aligned with divine order despite his conflict with the Church.

Science thrived in a Christian context because faith promoted the belief in an orderly universe created by a rational God—one that humans could explore through reason and observation.

Examples

• Copernicus' groundbreaking work included a dedication to the Pope.
• Oresme, a bishop, made early astronomical observations.
• Galileo reconciled science with a belief in divine order.

5. The Foundational Philosophy of America

The United States was the first nation to explicitly integrate Jerusalem's and Athens' values. Its Declaration of Independence reflects this beautifully.

Thomas Jefferson and other Founding Fathers incorporated ideas of human equality and natural rights. These stemmed not only from biblical teachings of being made in God’s image but also from Locke’s philosophy of natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

The contrast with France illustrates the success of blending reason and faith. While America’s revolution sought to preserve individual rights, the French Revolution rejected such foundations, leading to chaos, oppression, and bloodshed.

Examples

• America’s declaration ties human equality to biblical teachings.
• Locke’s influence on natural rights shaped U.S. governance.
• The French Revolution's rejection of religion led to tyrannical outcomes.

6. Collectivism Leads to Dangerous Outcomes

The 20th century tragically demonstrated what happens when societies prioritize the collective over the individual. Communism in Russia treated people only as members of groups rather than as individuals with inherent worth.

Leaders like Lenin emphasized suppression and violence for “collective good,” resulting in millions of deaths during the Soviet era. This starkly contrasted with Western democracy, which sought to balance individual rights and shared governance.

Even Western nations flirted with similar madness. Some early 20th-century progressives supported eugenics, advocating for sterilization programs targeting the “undesirable” in an effort to enhance society.

Examples

• Lenin prioritized ideology over individual lives, leading to repression.
• The Soviet Revolution sacrificed millions for the "collective."
• Eugenics policies in America harmed individuals deemed "unfit."

7. Modern Tribal Politics Undermine Foundational Values

Today’s political culture is increasingly divided, with people aligning themselves solely by identity or group. This reduces shared values and undermines the principles of equality and reason.

Intersectional ideas, which classify people based on overlapping identities (race, gender, etc.), often fuel division instead of understanding. Dissent is viewed as betrayal, even within minority groups. Conservative minorities, for instance, are often ostracized.

This environment mirrors alt-right tribalism on the opposite end, as both sides see themselves as inherently victimized. This deepens divides and weakens the pursuit of common good, human rights, and progress.

Examples

• Intersectionality often silences dissenting minority voices.
• Tribalism fuels radical beliefs like modern white supremacy.
• Science and reason are dismissed as constructs of privilege.

8. The Role of Progress Stemming from Faith

Progress, central to Western thought, owes itself to the Bible’s teachings of history being linear and purposeful. Pagan traditions largely viewed events cyclically, precluding transformative changes.

Science flourished because religious faith suggested the world had order—a concept that spurred exploration and understanding. Leaders, visionaries, and scientists saw progress as a blend of faith and reason working in tandem to better humanity.

Without these ideas, progress becomes untethered, leading to floundering societies grasping at utopian illusions instead of achievable improvements based on shared values.

Examples

• Christianity framed history as a progressive journey, not repetitive cycles.
• Copernicus’ scientific revolution linked faith and inquiry.
• American revolutionaries brought progress by enshrining liberty in law.

9. Rediscovering Core Western Values

The West prospers on the twin pillars of Athens and Jerusalem—reason and moral purpose. But contemporary societies have turned these cornerstones into relics, often mocked or ignored.

To preserve its progress and ensure sustainability, society must remember what makes Western thought exceptional: its embrace of human dignity, freedom, scientific exploration, and individual responsibility.

By rekindling faith in these values, we can counter cultural decline and build a world inspired by the moral and logical foundation of our ancestors.

Examples

• Western society’s achievements stem from its unique founding ideas.
• Returning to shared truths can heal divisive politics.
• Philosophical heritage offers guidance against societal decay.

Takeaways

1. Reflect on your sources of happiness, and strive to align life with a higher moral or purposeful mission rather than temporary gratification.
2. Embrace reasoned debate and inquiry while respecting the shared human dignity found in faith-based equality to build stronger communities.
3. Resist modern tribalism by fostering shared values and celebrating the blend of individuality and collective harmony rooted in Western traditions.