Crisis of Meaning in the West: Value, Narrative, and Science

The Western world is experiencing a profound fracture, not merely political or economic, but deeply fundamental—religious in nature. This crisis stems from a failure to understand the intrinsic role of value and meaning in human perception and existence, a failure that traces back to the dawn of science and the Enlightenment.

The Value-Free World of Science and Its Consequences

The scientific world, by design, aims to be value-free. It posits that all facts are equally valuable, and no fact should be arbitrarily privileged. This approach, however, begins with the removal of value from the world. The problem is that human beings live by value; we need reasons to exert effort, make sacrifices, and even to get out of bed in the morning. A world devoid of meaning is a world without motivation.

Worse still, while one can rationalize away the positive significance of life, the reality of suffering and anxiety remains. If nothing is ultimately meaningful, the world appears hopeless. Yet, personal pain and anxiety retain their existential weight, regardless of any intellectual dismissal. The paradoxical consequence of removing value from the world is that only suffering and confusion are left behind. This worldview often leads to severe depression, anxiety, bitterness, and vengefulness, opening the door to pathological ideologies and nihilism.

Nietzsche, in the mid-1800s, foresaw the catastrophic nihilism and utopian ideologies that would follow the "death of God" and the demise of traditional value structures. He predicted a world awash in blood, a consequence of abandoning the frameworks that previously oriented humanity.

The Flawed Premise of a Dead Material World

The proposition that the world is merely dead matter with an arbitrary overlay of value is not only existentially problematic but also fundamentally untrue. Scientific endeavor itself, particularly in the study of perception, reveals this falsehood. Perception is not a passive reception of objective data; it is intrinsically linked to action and value.

When we perceive something, our eyes move, consciously or unconsciously, directed by what we pay attention to. What we pay attention to is, in turn, dictated by our value structure. This is not an abstract hypothesis; sophisticated technologies like smartphones analyze eye movements to understand and manipulate our values and attention.

Therefore, if perception depends on attention, and attention is guided by value, then what we perceive is dependent on what we value. This contradicts the scientific proposition that the world presents itself as a set of neutral objects upon which we impose value. Instead, valuing is primary.

Stories as the Language of Value

The world of value is described differently from the world of objects. While science provides a powerful technology for understanding objects, stories are the primary mode for describing value. Stories are intrinsically compelling, not merely for entertainment, but because they outline structures of value.

Consider a horror movie: it evokes disgust and fear, not simple enjoyment. Yet, people are drawn to it. This is because narratives, even unsettling ones, allow us to explore the functional consequences of different value systems without personal cost. We identify with heroes and villains, observing their aims, actions, and the outcomes of their choices.

For example, in a James Bond movie, the hero serves "king and country," demonstrating bravery and a focus on aims beyond his narrow self. The villain, conversely, aims for mayhem and suffering, driven by narcissism, resentment, and bitterness. By observing these characters, we gain insight into how different value frames function. We can experience the relevant emotions and perceptions, learning what to imitate and what to avoid, all within a safe, narrative context.

Worship as the Direction of Attention

The concept of "worship" extends beyond religious rituals; it is fundamentally about what we celebrate and hold in the highest regard. To worship is to subjugate oneself to an aim. Every act of attention, even an unconscious glance, is an act of worship directed towards the goal of that vision.

This is evident in human interactions. On a date, the direction of one's gaze and attention will differ dramatically depending on whether the aim is a one-night stand or a potential marriage partner. These differing aims structure perceptions and actions.

The scientific worldview, with its assumption of neutral, objective facts, fails to account for this fundamental truth. Science of perception demonstrates that neutrality is impossible; we must inhabit a value frame because our values determine our patterns of attention and action. There is no escape from the problem of value.

The Dangers of Misguided Scientific Aims

While scientific facts are real, the fruits of scientific endeavor are dependent on the aim of the scientist. The trope of the "evil scientist" in popular culture reflects a deep-seated understanding that science, if misused, can lead to catastrophic outcomes. An evil scientist can produce "evil science" because their aims are malevolent.

The pursuit of dangerous research, such as creating hybrid viruses, exemplifies how scientific inquiry, when unmoored from proper ethical aims, can have devastating consequences, as seen with the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The paramount issue for science, therefore, is the aim of the scientist.

The Archetypal Narrative of Value Transmission

Patterns of value are often developed through imitation. Children, for instance, imitate the "spirit of the father" by abstracting the essence of fatherhood from various examples and embodying it in play. This process of abstracting and imitating essential spirits is central to religious narratives, which enjoin followers to imitate the benevolent father or feminine archetypes.

In a marriage, partners implicitly encourage each other to embody the benevolent masculine and feminine spirits. These are cardinal ways of characterizing the world of value. A leader, like a king or president, who is beholden to a transcendent, upward-aiming principle, rather than being possessed by power, is a trustworthy sovereign. This principle of serving something beyond the narrow self is a low-level religious implication found in heroic narratives.

The "king of kings" or the "spirit of the benevolent father" represents the ultimate upward aim, often characterized in the Old Testament as the God of Abraham and Isaac. This spirit calls individuals to ally themselves with it, to sacrifice what is inappropriate, and to develop upward. The biblical narrative culminates in the idea that the ultimate upward aim is the voluntary spirit of self-sacrifice upon which mature families and communities are founded.

This means that a mature individual serves the future, their family, community, and nation, rather than narrow self-interest. Such benevolent self-sacrifice, without envy, can produce a land of abundance, as exemplified by the American ideal. This motif of voluntary self-sacrifice is deeply Christian, with precursors in Jewish scriptures, where sacrifice pleases God.

This perspective is not true from a narrow materialist viewpoint, but it is true for those seeking to bring peace to their household, meaning to their life, and productive abundance to their society. It suggests that the scientific enterprise, in its current form, is radically incomplete and prone to spiraling sideways if not encapsulated within a proper structure of value.

The Perils of Ignoring Narrative Warnings

The motif of "science gone wrong" permeates popular culture, from The Terminator series to real-world examples like China's "Skynet" surveillance system. Engineers, despite knowing the fictional warnings, believe they are building a "good Skynet," often guided by aims defined by problematic ideologies.

Narratives also portray the negative masculine and feminine. The original Snow White, for example, features dwarfs who are partial manifestations of the positive masculine—hardworking, maintaining a clean house. The evil queen represents the negative feminine: an older woman desperately clinging to her sexual attractiveness, envious of the younger generation, and willing to harm them to maintain control. This is an eternal story, reflected in psychological concepts like the Oedipal mother, who pathologically overextends her influence, sabotaging her child's independence.

The story of Sleeping Beauty, where Prince Phillip must fight the evil queen (who transforms into a dragon) to awaken the princess, illustrates the necessity of confronting and overcoming destructive maternal forces for the propagation of life and the establishment of healthy relationships. These narratives are not infinitely malleable; they grip us because they reflect fundamental presuppositions about human existence. When narratives deviate from these transcendent patterns, they fail to resonate, becoming boring and irrelevant, regardless of production cost.

The Importance of Deliberate Attention

The current cultural landscape, with its ideological storytelling, often promotes narratives that are disconnected from these fundamental truths. For instance, the idea that a princess finding her prince is "ridiculous" ignores the biological reality of human propagation. Narratives that demonize childbearing or promote a world without people are villainous and reflect pathological aims.

The recent, poorly received Snow White movie, with its attempt to replace the dwarfs with a "diversity crowd" and portray them as messy, reflects a misunderstanding of the archetypal roles. The dwarfs in the original tale represent the necessary, hardworking aspects of the masculine, while Snow White's escape from the evil queen symbolizes young women escaping destructive influences that seek to make them infertile and unattractive.

The "evil queen" archetype is also seen in institutions like universities, which, by promoting certain ideologies, can "poison" young women, leading to increased misery and unconsciousness. This raises the question of where the men are, as their role is to stand up against such destructive forces.

The union of masculine and feminine principles is essential for productive endeavors, including science. The "body" of facts (feminine) needs a "vertical" aim or reason (masculine) to be gathered and made productive. This is akin to the seed (bodyless purpose) falling into the earth (body without pattern) to produce a tree. This pattern of sexual union and creation is fundamental to life and is reflected in mythologies and fairy tales.

Richard Dawkins's own biological claim that an organism must be a microcosm of its environment implies that if the dynamic between masculine and feminine is essential for human survival, then these elements must be superordinate principles in the environment itself. This suggests that the narrative structure, which embodies these principles, necessarily precedes the scientific endeavor.

True scientists are not driven by money but by a "calling"—a religious commitment to their object of inquiry. They are drawn to what interests them, devoting their lives to understanding mysteries. This commitment, along with the belief in an intelligible universe and the positive value of understanding it, are a priori commitments that precede the scientific enterprise. If this underlying narrative is upward-oriented, science becomes productive; otherwise, it risks becoming destructive.

In this era of shifting storytelling, it is crucial to be deliberate about where we direct our attention. What we worship and what we pay attention to are one and the same. Our attention, especially in an increasingly machine-driven world, will guide us towards whatever we orient it toward, for better or worse.

The US-Canada Relationship and the Need for Self-Correction

The current political tensions between the US and Canada reflect a deeper need for Canada to "get its act together." The last decade of Canadian governance has seen a decline in economic standing and a reliance on the US, partly due to a failure to develop its own resources and a leadership that has undermined national identity.

While US criticisms, such as those from Donald Trump, can be seen as contemptuous, they also highlight genuine weaknesses. Canada's military is in disarray, and its leadership has embraced ideologies that are counterproductive to its national interest. The response of Canadians, often characterized by a defensive "Quit picking on us," rather than a robust assertion of national identity, underscores the problem.

The political missteps of US leaders, such as Trump's comments inadvertently boosting the Canadian Liberal Party, demonstrate the complex interplay of national narratives and political outcomes. Ultimately, both nations, like individuals, must confront their errors, admit ignorance, and pursue a self-correcting pathway towards a "shining city on the hill."

The Legacy of a Benevolent Mother

A mother whose children remember her fondly, like the speaker's own mother, embodies qualities such as good-naturedness, hospitality, self-sacrifice, and a willingness to embrace adventure while maintaining a strong sense of self. She was able to laugh at herself and was a delight to be around, even in unexpected situations. Her ability to balance self-sacrifice with personal ambition (pursuing a career after her children were in school) demonstrates a well-ordered life.

The memory of a "negative" interaction, such as a mother crying after a wooden spoon broke while disciplining children, highlights the rarity and impact of genuine upset, fostering a sense of remorse and understanding in the children. Such a mother supports her children, plays with them, and encourages their growth, fostering good memories and strong relationships.

The Dangers of Underage Drinking

Underage drinking, particularly in environments like northern Alberta, can lead to destructive patterns. Alcohol is a highly addictive and destructive drug, especially for those who enjoy it. It can structure social life around intoxication, leading to dangerous behaviors and long-term problems like alcoholism.

Alcohol is unique among drugs in its ability to chemically increase aggression. It is a major contributor to violence, domestic abuse, heart disease, and cancer. Starting young can make it difficult to develop social skills without relying on alcohol. For those engaged in high-stakes endeavors, alcohol impairs performance and should be avoided.

Teaching Children About Malevolence

Children need to understand that malevolence exists in the world, and this is best done through stories. Exposing children to narratives like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings, which contain scary elements, allows them to learn about danger in a safe context. The key is to teach them to "keep their eye on the hero," fostering bravery, resourcefulness, and courage rather than sheltering them.

The age at which this exposure occurs depends on the individual child's temperament and attention span. Parents must observe their children, pushing them to the edge of their comfort zone in play and storytelling, but retreating if it becomes too much. The goal is to make it a game, where the most fun is often found on the edge of disaster.

Fairy tales, with their "big bad wolves" and other frightening elements, serve as "trauma preparation" for children. They provide imagistic representations of danger, preparing children to recognize real-world threats and opportunities. The parental role is not to protect children from "serpents" but to teach them how to handle them. This requires parents to be awake, courageous, and to have faith in their children's ability to prevail in adventure, offering them to the world to become competent and courageous.