Jul 8, 2023
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“Since every society is ordered to a particular realization of the common good which is primarily attained by the desire of the will, every society depends on intelligence and reason to present the prospective goods to the will. The will is like the feet pursuing the good but the intellect is like the eyes by which the person knows where he is going while he is walking. The intellect presents the good to the will and if the will is open to it, the person pursues the good. Intelligence is therefore the most basic origin of authority although, of course, it is implemented by the will, the central power of morals. Obedience is also more involved with the intellect than the will. The good is carried out by the will but at the direction of the truth presented. The word “obedience” comes from obaudire which means “on account of hearing.” This suggests that obedience is more a matter of the intellect than the will. The interpretation which views authority as a competition of wills in which the intelligence is not really involved is neither Catholic nor good philosophy.
On the question of the origin of authority there are two incorrect schools of thought. The first places the origin of authority in the human will alone. The strongest will creates justice and good. In an age which rejects an objective metaphysics, the aspect of the all-powerful will bearing no restraint but what the person places on himself is a natural idea. The other is that, since authority is primarily a matter of the will and since the man we experience in everyday life has a fallen nature, there would have been no authority needed before the existence of sin. Authority is a result of sin.
Both of these ideas are mistaken precisely because authority is primarily a matter of the intellect. Truth directs good and comes before it. This is why no authority, no matter how powerful its will, can make something wrong right or can be said to govern properly if the subjects are treated as animals, as having no will of their own. No authority can claim that there need be no explanation given of possible commands. The origin of authority would thus be the need for any group of people, no matter how innocent, to need directing in pursuing a common good. The example is clear again in rowing the boat. If there are ten people rowing the boat and they are told they all may exercise their freedom as to how, when and in what direction they shall row. Someone must be designated to at least help them decide on a common destination and row together towards that place.
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The Church has generally followed the understanding that, since man is naturally a social animal and since the union of wills in pursuit of the common good must be directed by the intellect, authority would be necessary in any society. The necessity of authority does not, therefore, come from Original Sin because of the egotistical tendencies of men. ‘But as no society can hold together unless someone be (sic) over all, directing all to strive earnestly for the common good, every body politic must have a ruling authority, and this authority, no less that society itself, has its source in nature, and has, consequently, God for its author’ (Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei).”
- Fr. Brian Mullady OP, Christian Social Order
17 Jul 2019
Evening all, I trust this posting finds you well. Not listened to much music this week due to other things going on but still come across some great tracks which deserve a listen. As follows......
Opening track this week and an artist from Sacremento called !!!, spoken as Chk-Chk-Chk, I had to look it up! They are a dance-punk band who have been going for over 20 years and have released seven albums with their next due in a few weeks time. I heard a song of there’s entitled ‘One Girl/One Boy’ which I can best describe as disco funk! A toe tapper which I learnt was used in one of the GTA games, the song however didn’t have me hooked. However having heard another of there’s, which is the one I’m sharing, as well as the latest single to be taken from their forthcoming album I was sold on the idea of their music. Some tracks I’ve heard I’m not a massive fan of but when they are good they are VERY good and very listenable. The newest single is called ‘Serbia Drums’ and holds much promise for their eighth album. Working back chronologically I would say their latest two albums, ‘As If’ and ‘Shake The Shudder’ are their strongest in terms of writing and format of song but that is just personal preference from what I have heard of theirs so far. The song I’m sharing I adore and it sits nicely within my Spotify faves playlist! Give them a listen as I’m willing to bet you will find something within their discography which you will not be able to stop singing.
!!! - Lucy Mongoosey - https://youtu.be/Ycfyf_XKRVE
Secondly this week and a very talented Canadian, no not Celine Dion. I introduce Mac DeMarco, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer. I have been introduced to his music this week after stumbling on a fantastic opening track ‘Cooking Up Something Good’ to his 2012 second album, funnily enough titled ‘2′. Must have taken a while to think of that one. DeMarco’s style can be described as indie-psychedelic rock, I liken some of his songs to those of Tame Impala which, for those who have read this blog will know, are one of my favourite bands of the last ten years. Six albums have been released to date but all my favourite of his tracks are taken from the album ‘2′ so use that as a starting point into his music. I’m a fan of meaning to lyrics in songs and the album contains tracks which cover tales of failed love, his favourite brand of cigarettes and trying to convince a girl to leave town with him, amongst other interesting themes! Another album to give a listen to is his 2017 release ‘This Old Dog’ which contains another of my favourites of his, the very laid back and semi-Tame Impala sounding ‘For The First Time’. His latest album was released only two months ago but having not heard it yet I look forward to giving it some play time over the next day or so.
Mac DeMarco - Freaking Out The Neighbourhood - https://youtu.be/MeRIAew8eXc
Finally this week and a blast from the past, The Connells. Most people my age will be able to name their successful UK single, which coincidentally is the only one I can name! Now the band I knew nothing about until consulting the font of spurious information, Wikipedia. Appaz they have been going for literally as long as I have, having been formed in 1984. I was born, not so much formed. They originate from North Carolina and have released numerous albums which have scored reasonable success in the US and Canada. It is their single ‘74-75′ which I’m interested in. Talk about blast from the past. There I was minding my own business watching TV last week and I hear the song being used for an advert (advert TBC as I can’t recall what for at present) and it got me reminiscing. The single was released in the UK in early 1995 and I first heard it included on one of those compilation albums you would get given at Xmas & birthdays. The kind of thing you find in bargain bins in petrol stations, something like ‘Hits 95′. The single I remember as clear as day. I was a huge fan of the song but had no real means of finding out more about the band or exploring any more of their music, I was only 10. Early 1995 I was part way through year 2 of Junior school, by far the most enjoyable school days. Playing football before, during and after school, all the time whilst trying to make it through a day of tedious lessons about Henry VIII or the bloody water cycle. Having heard the song again it hasn’t aged all that badly and I’m glad to have been reacquainted with it. There are no doubt endless others like this one which can transport me to a specific time of my life and I cannot wait to find out what they are!
The Connells - 74-75 - https://youtu.be/l-ITv4OBV9c
There we go. Three more belters to give a cheeky little listen to. If you like them, please explore more of each artist. I’ll return in two weeks, happy listening!
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