I have been very moved recently by the words of Mattias Desmet, a Dutch academic who has written beautifully and persuasively on the moral call to truthful speaking. One of the things I've seen, both in Desmet's writing and in his actual persona - to the limited degree one can assess such things from video interviews and the like - is that the calm, measured, respectful expression of that which we perceive to be true is a kind of radiant force that originates in our circle of influence but makes waves far out into the wider world. I have learned a couple of key things from Desmet's example. First, as you lay out so gracefully above, this way of being has essentially nothing in common with moral outrage, and it is quite essentially, almost definitionally non-aggressive.
The second thing is that the reactions we have to injustice and upheaval in our circle of concern ought first to prompt in us a kind of inward consideration. In that consideration we are not seeking a resolution of the tragic external circumstances but a refinement of our own inner moral sense. We are looking for an expression of the truth for which we stand that is deeply grounded, that in a sense is untouched by the contingent realities of the world. This expression is personal not because it uses new or original words and images - it doesn't need to and it probably won't - but because it enables us to express to ourselves and others something foundational. It is the "here I stand, I can do no other" place. Again, it is almost definitionally lacking in anything that has the feel of an argument, a case, a polemic. A philosopher would say it's ontological: this is who I am.
Interestingly, the second exercise makes possible the first. We may speak loudly and forcefully, or we may speak convincingly and perhaps effectively if we are clever and skillful with words, but without that grounded way of being it's all somehow lacking in authority. There's a passage in the new testament somewhere in which people marvel because Jesus speaks "with authority." As a child I understood that to mean something like "with God's imprimatur", but now I understand it very differently. He spoke from inside the truth looking outward, not toward the truth from outside it. These are very metaphorical ways of talking but in this realm metaphor seems to be the best way of wrestling with these questions.
Thank you for writing this substack. I haven't summoned the courage to write one myself, although I am certainly drawn to the possibility. Your work, now that I consider it, puts me in your Circle of Influence! It's inspiring.
Good morning, Leah. I started my day on Tuesday with your very thoughtful essay, but we were in the mountains at our cabin (a wonderful respite from stress in our daily world) so I needed to gather a bit or time to mull over your words and gather my thoughts on your essay. The Circle of Concern is definitely a concern! I find myself in it too often as I read about our world, and in particular, our country. I often think I should stop reading and watching, but I feel that is then stepping out and not making any commitment to be a positive influence. It is definitely much better - and easier - to stay in my Circle of Influence, and in that circle, I do feel I can make a difference. I guess it's just a frustration with the "progressive" influence; it seems to have captured the media, government, Hollywood, and - from experience, I know of its influence in academia. I fear for my grandkids - which is why I stay in the Circle of Concern probably too much. You have given me food for thought - and made me feel a bit less cowardly. Thank you! And, though you don't write often, when you do, it's inspirational. Keep up the good work. Ellen
Hi Leah… hope this finds you well. As we talked about a while ago, I’m going to read the WSJ tomorrow - and then - for Advent - give up the news, including TFP. Wish me luck - but let me know if there’s something you think I really should read! And keep your fingers crossed that my car doesn’t get vandalized because of my “I Stand with Israel” bumper sticker!🤞🇮🇱
I have been very moved recently by the words of Mattias Desmet, a Dutch academic who has written beautifully and persuasively on the moral call to truthful speaking. One of the things I've seen, both in Desmet's writing and in his actual persona - to the limited degree one can assess such things from video interviews and the like - is that the calm, measured, respectful expression of that which we perceive to be true is a kind of radiant force that originates in our circle of influence but makes waves far out into the wider world. I have learned a couple of key things from Desmet's example. First, as you lay out so gracefully above, this way of being has essentially nothing in common with moral outrage, and it is quite essentially, almost definitionally non-aggressive.
The second thing is that the reactions we have to injustice and upheaval in our circle of concern ought first to prompt in us a kind of inward consideration. In that consideration we are not seeking a resolution of the tragic external circumstances but a refinement of our own inner moral sense. We are looking for an expression of the truth for which we stand that is deeply grounded, that in a sense is untouched by the contingent realities of the world. This expression is personal not because it uses new or original words and images - it doesn't need to and it probably won't - but because it enables us to express to ourselves and others something foundational. It is the "here I stand, I can do no other" place. Again, it is almost definitionally lacking in anything that has the feel of an argument, a case, a polemic. A philosopher would say it's ontological: this is who I am.
Interestingly, the second exercise makes possible the first. We may speak loudly and forcefully, or we may speak convincingly and perhaps effectively if we are clever and skillful with words, but without that grounded way of being it's all somehow lacking in authority. There's a passage in the new testament somewhere in which people marvel because Jesus speaks "with authority." As a child I understood that to mean something like "with God's imprimatur", but now I understand it very differently. He spoke from inside the truth looking outward, not toward the truth from outside it. These are very metaphorical ways of talking but in this realm metaphor seems to be the best way of wrestling with these questions.
Thank you for writing this substack. I haven't summoned the courage to write one myself, although I am certainly drawn to the possibility. Your work, now that I consider it, puts me in your Circle of Influence! It's inspiring.
Good morning, Leah. I started my day on Tuesday with your very thoughtful essay, but we were in the mountains at our cabin (a wonderful respite from stress in our daily world) so I needed to gather a bit or time to mull over your words and gather my thoughts on your essay. The Circle of Concern is definitely a concern! I find myself in it too often as I read about our world, and in particular, our country. I often think I should stop reading and watching, but I feel that is then stepping out and not making any commitment to be a positive influence. It is definitely much better - and easier - to stay in my Circle of Influence, and in that circle, I do feel I can make a difference. I guess it's just a frustration with the "progressive" influence; it seems to have captured the media, government, Hollywood, and - from experience, I know of its influence in academia. I fear for my grandkids - which is why I stay in the Circle of Concern probably too much. You have given me food for thought - and made me feel a bit less cowardly. Thank you! And, though you don't write often, when you do, it's inspirational. Keep up the good work. Ellen
Hi Leah… hope this finds you well. As we talked about a while ago, I’m going to read the WSJ tomorrow - and then - for Advent - give up the news, including TFP. Wish me luck - but let me know if there’s something you think I really should read! And keep your fingers crossed that my car doesn’t get vandalized because of my “I Stand with Israel” bumper sticker!🤞🇮🇱
Happy Holidays to you!
Ellen
Very thoughtful. Thank you!
Fantastic essay, Leah!