What do we really mean when we say the phrase “Autonomous Culture won’t save nor keep us”?
Autonomous culture is defined as having the right or power of self-government. It means that an individual is entitled to what he or she thinks is right or good for himself or herself. Autonomous culture won’t save us nor keep us. To explain this statement, take a look at the example of how the elements of the earth are being properly combined, with absolute reason, to form compounds. (1) Every molecule of water has two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen. The formula H2O remains true, no matter what race of people or what gender analyzes it. Can one really say, “It’s not fair to oxygen that there are two atoms of hydrogen in water; so to be fair, there should be two atoms of oxygen as well”? You can give two atoms of oxygen if you want to — but if you drink it, it will bleach your insides (if not worse), because that would make it hydrogen peroxide and not water. Naming and actual reality have a direct connection in physics, even as they do in morality and in metaphysics. So the question arises, Why do we readily accept the restrictive absolutes of chemical structures but refuse to carry these absolutes into our moral framework? The answer is obvious: we simply do not want anyone else to dictate our moral sensitivities; we wish to define them ourselves. It has very little to do with the tree and everything to do with the seed of our rebellion, namely, autonomy. We wish to be a law unto ourselves. And that desire had always resulted in another social, ethical, political, and moral issue.
(2) What will happen if every single household has its own definition of right and wrong? Just imagine how chaotic this world could be. (3) Have you seen the movie “The Purge”? What if we are truly free to kill even for just a couple of hours without being punished by the law?
Indeed, it’s the absolute truth that is what we all need in this sinful and fallen world we live in. It’s the absolute truth that defines absolute right and wrong to where we run to when we are violated or corrupted.
