Our Heros

Classical Values is discussing gun control. He says:

While it's tough for me to believe that people would be gullible enough to imagine the government is going to protect their homes and families (especially during emergencies), denial is a very powerful phenomenon.

To which I replied:

It is a man's job to protect the women and children and to die doing it if necessary.

It is the price men pay for not being women.

The tendency is hard wired in the alpha males and wannabes (there are always lots of wannabes - which is why there are coups).

The Islamics take advantage of this aspect of human nature. Many westerners would rather pretend it doesn't exist. In that sense Islam is more natural. Mo was a brigand. He would have been right at home with an alpha male notion of manliness. Islam emphasises the man's duty to protect the women and children.

All this competition, however, is not the most productive way to organize society even if it is the most natural.

The idea of using voting instead of actual fighting to settle differences is so powerful that in a functioning system the losing side does not resort to arms even when the outcome is contested. However, if this becomes a habit everywhere society loses its ability to defend itself.

Really. When looked at objectively, from a naturalistic point of view, our way of life is unmanly and unheroic.

Think of it: our heros Newton, Einstein, etc.

Their heros: Saladin, etc.

Is it any wonder we are at war?