American Philosopher

It seems the American Philosopher is not doing so well these days.  There is no need to reference the convoluted abstract absolutism that characterized “European philosophy” of a bygone era.  

No, even in terms of a clear concise explanation of what inspires our nation and motivates its citizens, it seems our literary reputation has been sinking.

Indeed, not since the founding of the country has our repository of intellectual expertise sunk so low.  

The current resident of the White House explains himself in short repetitious phrases, either orally or on social media, including statements that are demonstrably false.  

Have we hit bottom yet?  It appears we have.

Looking back, the American Revolution involved a long bloody fight but it also provided us with an abundance of “thinkers”: Adams, Jefferson, and Paine--they led the pack.

One could argue there was a second “revival of thinking” in the era before the Civil War: Emerson and Thoreau, Douglass and Garrison, among other poets, essayists, and Abolitionists.  

No doubt they were motivated by high moral ideals—freedom versus slavery—which helped inspire their clarity and purpose.

Lincoln took democratic thought to new heights not seen since the Revolution with its bold fighting words: Paine’s Common Sense and The American Crisis, the Declaration of Independence, the Preamble to the Constitution and the Federalist Papers, to name a few of the documents that have shaped our history.

WHO WILL TAKE UP LINCOLN’S MANTLE?

Look around you: who do you see today whose writings come close to climbing the heights of philosophy that these early Americans expressed so nobly and well?

Perhaps we would be wise to content ourselves to copying their thoughts without attempting to add original commentary to “that which is”.  It is hardly the hallmark of a mature modern society, however, to accept the ideas of the past without contributing something fresh to that large and generous body of thought which preceded it.

In almost every other discipline, progress is made continuously; the astronomers of today build upon and advance many-fold the knowledge accumulated by others.  Nearly all fields of endeavor appear vitally alive--until we come to the Arena of Philosophy where stagnation rules the day.

Certainly, there are many professors of philosophy busily teaching and writing on college campuses all across the nation, but who comes to mind when we ask: who is the greatest American philosopher today?  Silence ensues.

SPEAKING UP FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

I do not pretend to have the literary ability to compare myself to the inspired giants of the past.  Nevertheless, it is possible we are looking in all the wrong places.  We are twiddling our thumbs needlessly waiting for a new genius to emerge.  

Perhaps our nation’s foundation beliefs are stronger than we realize!  What is simply needed is the ability to express them clearly.

We need not attempt to solve all conundrums such as “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?  We already have a Democratic Philosophy that has stood us in good stead for more than two hundred years.

It has become a beacon of hope to millions of people here and around the world.  Why not let the Philosophy of the Revolution continue to guide us?

No doubt a reader will reply: “Well, it does!  What is more important to our beliefs than the national ideology which emerged after Bunker Hill and Yorktown?”

Were that it were only so!

It is true that millions of Americans treasure principles of freedom and self-government, the author among them.

It is also true, however, that there are too many Americans who have given themselves over to the vilest passions engendered by prejudice, bigotry, and hatred--fermented in notions of racial supremacy buttressed by a contemptuous derision toward all groups not to their liking.

The contest begun in 1776 for the rights of man is far from over!  Myself, I wish to declare openly for the ideals of 1776 and align my every waking thought with them.

If this desire necessitates personal forays into the “whys and wherefores” of American Philosophy, the journey shall prove its own reward.  

www.rogeramericanwriter.com

My intention is to contribute my small share to keeping America’s Democratic Philosophy alive and well, especially in contests of word and thought with its detractors and enemies!

“RAISON D’ETRE” (REASON FOR BEING)

A word or two about this website, therefore, is in order.  I have tried my hand at a variety of genres for the sake of literary creativity, yet the heart and soul of Roger’s Library remains its serious side, especially the Essays.

The "Academic Works" are intended for scholars with a particular interest in a given topic; the lighter works (such as Blogs and Short Stories) are for those readers with a sense of humor who need a quick pick-me-up or have nothing better to do.

I make no pretensions of literary grandeur here; I know my limitations.  The "Essays", however, reflect a genuine attempt to wrestle with social propositions of grave importance.

As I do not subscribe to the notion of easy fixes--nor see any reason to give in to tirades of insult and vituperation--it became necessary to develop this genre slowly and carefully.

The first step was to establish a historical context before taking on one or more of the controversies putting our fellow countrymen at each other’s throats.  My doctoral studies helped me find my calm voice.

Readers and writers share a common journey as they explore and discover, then discard or retain that which is most valuable to them in way of human action and thought.

The author is not sure if he is up to fulfilling this ambitious task, this life-long project, but he wishes to pay his respects to those great American thinkers who have gone before him.  He wishes to try, if nothing else.

There is no one American Philosopher we need to honor above another; our American Philosophy is born of the sum of words and deeds of all brave and compassionate good-hearted Americans everywhere.

Still, even the most virtuous of people can benefit from a writer tying to help express their deepest thoughts and innermost feelings.  I wish to be their American Philosopher, so long as the power to think and to write shall last.

This website defends the ideals of the American Revolution as well as the hopes and dreams of all Americans who believe in freedom, justice, equality, and self-government.

I am not the first nor the last, not the best nor the worst, but simply “another” American Philosopher ready and willing to champion the cause of American liberty and democracy!