Naturalist Inculcation

I heard it twice yesterday. Once was during the most recent episode of "Oddessey 5" on the SciFi Channel. The other was on an episode of "The X-Files" that I had recorded. So, it was quite a coincidence that I ran across the idea twice. The claim is that the human body is nothing more than a "vehicle" to carry our genetic material and ensure its survival through reproduction.

I don't know if the writers and producers of these shows could explicitly describe Aristotle's four definitions, or the specific definition of teleology, but they sure know the concept. A teleological definition defines something according to its ultimate purpose, end, or goal. The teleology of plant life is basic life, including reproduction. Animals share the same, though a slightly higher and more complex, teleology. We know the teleology of plants and animals are limited to physical ends because plants and animals have only physical faculties. However, human beings, with spiritual faculties of the intellect and the will, have a purpose that transcends the physical world. Our teleology is to be united with God, the only source that can satisfy our spiritual desire for perfection.

Naturalists, led by Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection and survival of the fittest, have redefined the teleology of humankind. We have no spiritual end (despite the presence of spiritual faculties, which they continually though unsuccessfully try to minimalize to physical functions). We are nothing more than animals, so we share our purpose with animals. The ultimate physical purpose for a creature whose existence ends at death is continuance of the species.

Of course the problem with such a definition of humanity is that it destroys the dignity and value of the individual. In the natural world, an individual animal or plant matters very little in the grand scheme of things. Besides emotional tattachments formed by some animals, the death of an individual animal matters very little to the rest. What matters is the survival of the species. The individual has no value besides being one of many carriers of the genetic material of the species. If naturalists succeed in convincing us that our ultimate purpose is reproduction, they will also succeed in creating a culture that uses individuals like dispensible automotons in service of the machiner of society.

And they are succeeding. By putting their philosophy into the mouths of rational, scientifically advanced heroes naturalism can quietly set the attitude in our minds and hearts. The media is extremely efficient at doing this. It has played a role in convincing our culture to tolerate everything from swearing to homosexuality. However, like any tool the media is most effective when it is directed by a specific philosophy toward a specific goal.

I am not an advocate of censorship, at least not of ideas. My contention is that naturalists are consciously using philosophical concepts to inculcate ideas through a powerful medium. Meanwhile, Catholics are repeating refrains like, "Don't get bogged down in the theology and philosophy of it all. Faith is simple." Catholics need to drop the anti-intellectual spirit that has paralyzed us for the last forty years. If we dont' get with the program and reclaim our theological and philosophical roots, we will lose the culture war.