When it comes to philosophy or philosophers, I’m never very sure what the point is (my failing, surely – not philosophy’s or the philosophers’).
It seems to me that if the ‘Absolute’ (as you put it) is rejected, then nothing is left but meaninglessness (a ‘how’ with no ‘why’) and that is, indeed, precisely the conclusion come to by many. Hence, the securing of “the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity” takes on a narrow and constricted significance, while ‘process’ obtains an enormous importance and the ultimate objective may consist of little more than having a Boeing 757 at one’s beck and call to fly family members cross country, or to eat $100/pound kobe beef with VIPs (and without examining too closely what makes them oh, so very important).
Well put. I think what you’ve stated is the default philosophy of liberals and classified more closely as pragmatists of the Rorty persuasion than classic Idealists.
It sounds like something frozen in time.
But God isn't frozen in time, nor are the dynamics of the universe, the world. So there's no way for me to logically connect the idea of "Absolute" with God or with physical reality....
But whatever it is, the "Absolute" sounds pretty unpleasant to me.
Lacking any precise definition, it could be used by anybody for any purpose.
In any case, I wouldn't use the term "Absolute" to denote the negative of "meaninglessness." That tells me nothing two times.
But I think I get what you're driving at: Absent a common (perhaps the better word is "public'?) moral core to which society at large gives its assent, the disorder of persons and societies increases.
Without that common moral core, "the center will not hold." In which case we should instantly begin the vigil, in expectation of the "slouching beast" coming out of "Babylon"....
RE: your second point — that "process" obtains an enormous importance when "meaning" (in your example, the historical American moral code) is eclipsed — I couldn't agree with you more.
Well, just some stray thoughts....
Thank you so much for your kind words, and for writing, dear YHAOS! It is always such a pleasure to hear from you.