03-05-2008, 10:33 PM
Quote:To me, as you look at statistics, it should be very clear that intoxication and substance abuse is related to a very many social ills. Here are the statistics for the state where I live. In many ways I think the problem lies in the pandemic of purposelessness and the generations raised by the mantra of "If it feels good, do it." Ask most people, "Why are you here?" and the answer will be "To have fun." I'm not against fun mind you, but it is a pretty shallow reason to exist.
If the argument is that alcohol abuse has very serious negative effects, I have no objections. That's correct beyond any reasonable doubt.
The questions remain: does this stem from a relativistic, hedonistic code of morality? Is this a new phenomenon, or a very old one? Is it worse now, or before?
I suggest that drug abuse is not noticeably worsened by the "purposelessness" created by a "mantra" of gratification. This argument is itself a mantra of hectoring moralists, used since the dawn of time, but becoming less and less true, rather than more and more. The "kids these days lack the moral compass of the ancients" argument was old hat by the time of Confucius.
It was probably a myth then, and it's a myth now. It is generally advanced not because it is correct, but because it implies further questions that moralists have convenient answers to. Kids lack direction? I have a direction for them. Kids lack morality? I have a moral code for them. Society flying off the rails? Organize it according to my ideas. In the modern incarnation, it also comes with trendy books, lecture tours, and radio shows.
-Jester