Does one plunge into political activism, or will political efforts not be effective until the broader culture is ready for it?
Here is one datum, from Philip Reiff:
“[T]he first Christian culture revolution accommodated itself from the beginning to the ruling classes of its time. Christian doctrine began by distinguishing between culture and politics, concentrating its efforts at change upon the former, thus preparing a theoretical way for the Constantinian accommodation.”
(Quoted in James Bowman’s Honor: A History, p. 48. The image is of a statue of Constantine at the Capitoline Museums in Rome.)
Thoughts?
Posted 1 year, 9 months ago at 3:29 pm. Add a comment
I will be leading a reading group on James Bowman’s Honor: A History, along with my Philosophy Department colleague Shawn Klein.
What is honor? In higher education we promote student honor codes. Police officers speak of honoring the badge. The highest award in the US military is the Medal of Honor. In many Islamic and tribal cultures there is the phenomenon of honor killings. Business professionals place importance on honoring contracts. And there is sometimes “Honor among thieves.” So what role does honor play — and what role should it play — in our individual and social lives?
The first meeting will be on February 9 from 6 to 7 p.m. in Scarborough Hall 204 on the Rockford College campus. A free copy of the book will be provided to all participants.
The reading group is sponsored by the Center for Ethics and Entrepreneurship.
Posted 2 years ago at 4:34 pm. Add a comment
“[T]he first Christian culture revolution accommodated itself from the beginning to the ruling classes of its time. Christian doctrine began by distinguishing between culture and politics, concentrating its efforts at change upon the former, thus preparing a theoretical way for the Constantinian accommodation.” 
