Fear of new ideas is nothing new
Mr. Driscoll’s recent letter about the conservatives’ anti-everything philosophy reminds me of Goethe’s epic poem “Faust”, in which Mephistopheles proclaims: “I am the spirit that constantly denies because everything created is worth annihilating.”
The essence of conservatism seems to be the cult of tradition and status quo, rejecting changes and thwarting modernity. While conservatism comes in many shades, fundamental conservatives fear and reject new ideas because they challenge well established traditions and believes. Every discovery based on reason is worth sabotaging.
The scientist Giordano Bruno was burned on the stake in 1600 for promoting sciences contradicting the Bible, and Galileo was forced in 1616 to recant his theory of the helio-centric universe. In 1564, seeking firm control over old and new thoughts, the Roman Catholic Church established the Roman Index of Prohibited Books.
Enlightened Renaissance writers, philosophers and scientists destabilized too many established orthodoxies with their questions and discoveries.
At the end of the Hellenic “Golden Age.” Socrates was ostracized for promoting unpopular ideas, as was Protagoras who claimed that “man is the measure of all things” and Anaxagoras, who doubted the existence of the gods.
During the 20th century the Roosevelts’ Square Deal and New Deal, pro consumer, health and environment legislations, and the 19th amendment (women’s right to vote), were opposed by reactionary conservatives in both parties.
Throughout history progressive ideas improved the lives of hundreds of millions, challenged existing traditions, gave us hope, gave us Democracy, education, healthcare, Social Security, and, yes, income tax; and an effective anti-Covid vaccine, always over the objection of conservatives.
James Behrend, Bainbridge Island
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Fear of new ideas is nothing new
