NATURAL LAW, SOCIETY and PUBLIC EDUCATION: A Conundrum and The Clue.

The Conundrum

There are Laws of Nature which regulate the structure and interaction of matter. These are, so far as we know, fixed and invariant rules; those that determine the structure of the atom, the combination of atoms, electromagnetic and gravitational interaction of matter, and for Biological Systems, the Laws of Inheritance and Natural Selection. For all living things, including Man, the fixed Law of Nature, the raison d'etat, is SURVIVAL of the INDIVIDUAL based on the interaction of the genetics of the organism with the environment, both Biological and Social.

Thus, in a Biological sense, the genetics and habits of an individual must be compatible with health and fitness otherwise the consequence may be debility, disease, or death; in a Social sense, the behavior of an individual must be within the constraints determined by Civil Law and not seen to be in conflict with the Laws of Nature,.i.e., the differential survival (both Civil and Biological) of the individual based not on the Laws of Nature but on Civil Law.

The Laws of Nature, as applied to Biological Systems, is at the core Solipsistic. This is the driving force, the Energy for Life; a SELFISHNESS necessary for the success of the Species that impels all living things. Man, while retaining this natural SELFISHNESS, has been so constituted by Nature that his very survival must be within a social context; he is not independent but, for his very survival, is dependent on the assistance of others.

"But man has almost constant occasion for the help of his brethern...Every man thus lives by exchanging, or becomes in some measure a merchant, and the society itself grows to be what is properly a commercial society"; but, it is not from mutual benevolence that this interaction takes form, but...in "their regard to thier own self interest (SELFISHNESS)."(Adam Smith: The Wealth of Nations, 1776)

However, Social/Political Systems, such as "free market" economies, constituted on a notion of SELFISHNESS so as to teach each Citizen, i.e., "merchant", that the very essence of existence is the production and consumption of manufactured products; that the path to true happiness is in the accumulation of wealth is, by its' very nature, destructive to other Individuals and Civil and Political Systems. In recognition of this fact, in 1836, William Apess, the Native American author of Eulogy on King Philip, wrote:

" ...given historical facts, and an exposition in relation to ancient times, we have been enabled to discover the foundation which destroyed our common fathers, in their struggle together; it was indeed nothing more than the spirit of avarice and usurpation of power that has brought people in all ages to hate and devour each other."

The Clue

The radical social concept introduced by The Nazarene that transcends these Natural Laws, so fundamentally contrary to their very essence, will require the veritable Transformation of Human Nature; making Man something other that a mere Biological entity or "merchant". In essence, a practical and political implementation of these concepts requiring a restructuring of Public Education with its' primary goal of instilling notions of Citizenship and Political Responsibility for our Democracy within all individuals in our Society
...that Benignity of Mind which shows itself in Searching for and Seizing every opportunity to Serve and Oblige;...the Foundation of what is called Good Breeding; highly useful to the Possessor, and most agreeable to all...what is true Merit should also be often presented to Youth, explained and impressed on their Minds as consisting in a(n) Inclination joined with an Ability to serve Mankind, one's Country, Friends, and Family; which Ability (with the Blessing of God) to be acquired or greatly encreased by true Learning; and should indeed be the great Aim and End of all Learning." (Benjamin Franklin, Proposal Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania, 1749)

This will require leadership at all levels of our political system; leadership that is courageous, inspiring, and bold; leadership that represents the high ideals of our Constitution; and, leadership that can tap into the entrepreneurial spirit of our citizens, THE NATURAL SELFISHNESS OF EACH INDIVIDUAL directed at both self-aggrandizement and the recognization that social inequalities are a natural aspect of our social system..... the consequence of the vagaries of time and situation.
Our current crop of political "leaders" are serving there own interests as career politicians by supporting policies that view money-making by both individuals and corporation as the sine quo non, a goal and end-in-itself, of our society. This is but one part of the equation. The invidiousness that is an inherent aspect of the pursuit of wealth is destructive. Wealth should be a tool not a goal of our society. We have constructed an Economic System based exclusively on production and consumption of manufactured products; creating artificial "needs" for these products that "..adds to the desires of all classes of men and women. It brings new thoughts to the minds of men who know that they cannot play the game the others play....to ask what life is worth if one is condemed to endless slavery and self-denial." (Clarence Darrow, 1932). Slavery indeed to an invidious and self-destructive cycle of consumption and self-aggrandizement.
Our Democracy will Transform itself through the a System of Public Education when Citizens have recognized:
That for a civilized democracy:
it is not a privilege for a citizen to be healthy;
it is not a privilege to be safe in your environment;
it is not a privilege to have food, clothing , and shelter;
it is not a privilege to be gainfully employed and self sufficient; and,
it is not a privilege to pursue your talents and interests through an educational system. These are fundamental needs for life, liberity and happiness that our social system should ensure to all of our citizens.

With this recognition of a SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, SELF INTEREST has been transformed into SELF LOVE...."Our Love of ourselves becomes the Foundation of our Love to others..."(Benjamin Franklin to Samuel Johnson, 1750)...
"Self Love but serves the virtuous Mind to wake As the small Pebble stirs the peaceful Lake; The Center mov'd, a Circle strait succeeds, Another still, and still another spreads, Friend, Parent, Neighbor, first it will embrace, His Country next, and next all human Race; Wide and more wide, th'o'erflowings of the Mind Take every Creature in of every Kind."(Poor Richard, 1745)

In the age of Weapons of Mass Destruction, this "spirit of avarice and usurpation of power", the fixed and invariant Law of the Nature of Man as a Biological entity, that brings "people in all ages to hate and devour each other" will eventually destroy Human Society if we do not recognize that our very survival as a species requires the Transformations introduced by The Nazarene.
Another Conundrum?

A far different Conundrum is now posed; a non-violent approach to the initiation of this Transformation, or one that is more aggressive, and may involve social disruption and violence. If genuine at the outset, when a position is taken on Principle that is contrary to entrenched interests and the status quo, the Citizen should be neither surprised nor daunted at the resultant extreme consequences; such should have been anticipated, both as to consequences and the price to be paid.
"Tyranny in Democratic Republics...ignores the body and goes straight for the soul (spirit). (It tells the citizen)...You are free not to think (and speak) as I do...But...you shall be as a stranger among us." (de Tocqueville, 1835)
"But you ask, what is the good of man, I can only tell you that it is a kind of power of choice."...that the essence of good and evil is what is within the control of the Will....for the former.."some humane, beneficient, public spirited, noble action." (Epictetus: Discourses and Euchiridion)
"There exists one general law...That law is justice...when (a citizen) refuse(s) to obey an unjust law, (the citizen appeals) from the sovereignty of the people to the sovereignty of the human race." (de Tocqueville, 1835)

In Civil Society, the personal security and liberty of an individual are secured by a Code of Laws, and, when these are corrupted, by recourse to force of arms. Citizens, not governments, are the protectors and guarantors of their own security and liberty: El Gato con guantes no coge ratas. This is the principle within the Second Amendment of the Constitution and consistent with the Laws of Nature and the Social Concepts of the Nazarene; recognized by Sir William Blackstone as the 5Th auxiliary right of Man:
"The fifth and last auxiliary right of the subject, that I shall at present mention, is that of having arms for their defense, suitable to their condition and degree, and such as are allowed by law. Which is also declared by the same statute I W. & M. st.2. c. 2. and is indeed a public allowance, under due restrictions, of the natural right of resistance and self-preservation , when the sanctions of society and laws are found insufficient to restrain the violence of oppression."