'via Blog this'
First, it is hardly true that the 19th Century was as described. We just have better stats.
Second, our will remains a constant but it makes all the difference what it is directed toward.
Brooks rarely deals with the problem of will and values. He is not alone. Neither did Aristotle and most of his successors.
The fact is that there are ontological values that no one (excepting Jesus and some of his followers) identifies as such - they are non-idolatry, helpfulness, tolerance and democracy in the sense of universal rights - same for all. These can be willed and are by a few from century to century..
The fact is that Abba is within each living being and that Abba can be accessed with a word and that a relationship with Abba can be maintained by daily use of the prayer jesus taught us which is included toward the bottom of every page of this blog. Also that history is nothing but the sum of what all individuals will within the chronological frame of our lives.
That David Brooks regales us weekly with some new theory to save us is ample evidence that he has not thought deeply enough. Unless novelty is merely his job description.
