In Saturday’s DM, we meditated with Hannah Arendt on her book, In Lying and Politics, which seems especially fitting in this season of mid-term elections.
One of the insightful points she makes, as we saw, was that the surest long-term result of brainwashing is a peculiar kind of cynicism— an absolute refusal to believe in the truth of anything, no matter how well this truth may be established.
Is Cynicism on the rise in our media, our politics, our souls at this time? Are we asked to combat cynicism within and without?
Cynicism, as I consider it in my major study on evil, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society, is part of the capital sin of acedia which Aquinas defines as “the lack of energy to begin new things.” Acedia is also understood as sadness, a deep, spiritual sadness, a feeling that we are cut off from goodness. From original blessing I would say.
Etymologically, the word “acedia” is said to have two derivatives. One is a-kedos in Greek, which means not caring. The other is from the word for sour. There is a not-caring aspect to acedia, a lack of passion, and there is also an attitude of sourness or cynicism toward life.
Cynicism is a kind of sourness toward life and is related to acedia. Webster’s dictionary defines a cynic as “one who believes that human conduct is motivated wholly by self-interest.” Being cynical is being “contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives” and among its synonyms are misanthropic, pessimistic, misogynic and deep distrust.
Arendt informs us that a “peculiar kind of cynicism” is afoot when an absolute refusal to believe in the truth of anything, no matter how well this truth may be established prevails. Cynicism is one of the signs of our times being spread by some media, social media and certain politicians.
Cynicism seems to be growing these days as the sadness—and violence—of our times bears down on us. The recent invasion of the home of house majority leader Nancy Pelosi and the attack on her 82 year old husband with a hammer is one example of the rise of violence in our times.
The 42 year old assailant’s e mails inform us that his violence is directly related to lies and politics including the violence of January 6 (that some politicians currently running for office still call “ordinary political discourse”). He is a firm believer in Q-anon conspiracies (crazy lies).
The assailant is a zealous member of the Church of Donald J. Trump where many are called to violent action by the rhetoric and lies of its leader.
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society, pp. 189ff.
To read a transcript of Matthew Fox’s video teaching, click HERE.
Banner Image: An art installation showcasing the injustice towards women, particularly around domestic violence, an issue that has been pushed to the forefront of justice circles given the increased rates of domestic violence as we continue to stay home due to the pandemic but also as part of a broader awareness of our culture of violence towards female identified persons. Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash.
Queries for Contemplation
Do you see cynicism on the rise in our media, politics and souls at this time? How do you resist that trend? How are you contributing to an alternative politics in the upcoming election?
Recommended Reading
Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics
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11 thoughts on “Cynicism, Politics and Violence — Signs of Our Times”
Hannah Arendt, In her book, In Lying and Politics says that “the surest long-term result of brainwashing is a peculiar kind of cynicism— an absolute refusal to believe in the truth of anything, no matter how well this truth may be established.” Joseph Goebbels ran Hitler’s propaganda machine, and Trump had Fox News. First it was Trumps saying that all the news was fake news, to break down the publics trust in the news–our only sources of knowing what was going on, and then he tweeted his lies to his minions. Cynicism, as Matthew considers it is part of the capital sin of acedia which Aquinas defines as “the lack of energy to begin new things.” And “Yes” I do see cynicism on the rise in our media, politics and souls at this time. You ask, “How do you resist that trend?” And “How are you contributing to an alternative politics in the upcoming election?” Speaking out, writing out, and voting my conscience.
To be completely honest and transparent, as I read the definition of cynicism from Webster’s Dictionary in reference to acedia included in today’s DM; I saw the cynic within myself. Some of this cynicism stems from what I have been exposed to through social media platforms as well as personal experiences encountered within my relationships with others. However, also within some other social media platforms, such as The Shift Network as well as some other personal experiences within mostly close and longstanding relationships with others; this same cynicism is absent. There’s a kind of tension felt, in trying to find a balance between the two as I find it extremely challenging and difficult to fully believe and see, the inherent goodness and the light and beauty of this within ALL, which is often hidden beneath distressing disguises. As much as I desire and long to be and live in the reality of this truth, I have to admit that I’m simply not there yet within the evolution of my conscious awareness. Practicing compassionate understanding, acceptance of where others may be in their own souls evolutionary journey knowing I don’t know their whole story and the wounds they may be suffering from, as well as forgiveness with regards to others human weaknesses and failures to express and manifest this inherent goodness and the light and beauty of this within; helps me to find some sense of balance within the tension.
Jeanette, Today you write : “To be completely honest and transparent, as I read the definition of cynicism from Webster’s Dictionary in reference to acedia included in today’s DM; I saw the cynic within myself.” The truth of the matter is that the word cynic is thrown around without understanding where it comes from. The Cynics were a school of philosophy about 500 years before Christ. The most famous Cynic was Diogenes of Sinope. He was a contemporary of Plato but he lived a completely ascetic life. Cynic comes from the work “kyon” the Greek word for “dog” because people said they lived like dogs–begging for food, often going without clothes and living on the street, or in Diogenes case, in a covert.
The church of The 45th president? Gives church a pretty bad name. And was that man ever seen in a church anyway?
One of my responses is to share poetry and music that enlighten us about truth and justice makers past and present. One example is acclaimed American Eliza Gilkyson. One example is:
https://elizagilkyson.com/?p=791
Great music/poem and moving photographs! They make me hopeful!
I agree with Linda Chamberlain about your reference “the church of Donald Trump”. I was shocked with your opinion of what caused a mentally ill person to react so violently. With all the violence depicted on TV, online news and social media how do we know what caused his action? Please use caution in your accusations.
In these times, it is not easy to resist cynicism, Matthew. I have just returned from Cape Breton where I encountered a refreshing respite from the materialism, anger, divisiveness, hate, narcissism, and poverty of spirit rampant in the U.S. My visit there opened my eyes to how completely twisted are the values of this, the country of my birth. I find myself thinking that the U.S. is unredeemable. I’m drawn to another country where the values match my own–respect for the native people and the environment along with a reliance on our neighbors instead of on things we might buy with which to fill our empty souls. Nonetheless, while I stay here I will do what I can to work for peace, justice, and our planet. I contribute what I can. This week, I am delivering “get out the vote” letters to Democratic and Independent voters. I’m donating to Mark Kelly, who is running against an election denier in Arizona. I am chanting, meditating, and continuing to write plays that, if heard, might shift attitudes toward a more consciousness, compassionate, life view.
Cynicism surely rules in our society, and it is both the result of manipulation by tyrants and the fuel for the manipulation to continue until there is no democracy, no freedoms. Barring some miracle or the wholesale waking up of those who just don’t care about anyone except themselves, we are just about there. I have sent out letters and postcards to encourage people to vote and made phone calls both locally and to other states where there are crucial races. I pray a lot, especially to be more compassionate toward those who are leading us into insanity as a nation. Matthew is a prophet, and I so much admire his passion and his truth. I wish more people would heed his messages.. At the same time, I am preparing to learn to live in a much different and restrictive world, especially here in Florida where the big lie rules completely. There will be more violence. I take courage from those all around the world who are already living in the prison of autocracy and yet still resist and protest, and take the consequences. I think that we have become so lazy and selfish and greedy as a nation that what is going on and has been going on seems inevitable. As I have said before, civil disobedience is one route for the most courageous to take.
Sue, You write today: “Matthew is a prophet, and I so much admire his passion and his truth. I wish more people would heed his messages.” I totally agree with you. Amen to that !!!
The Spirit of Love~Wisdom~Truth~Peace~Justice~Sorrow~Healing~Strength~Transformation
Oneness… prevailed in Brazil! May it also prevail on Nov.7 in the US elections!
🔥💜🌎🙏