Western civilization is unique in that it recognizes the value of the human person, and the significance of a single human life.
In this edition of Life Matters, Brian examines the cultural influence of that basic premise and explorers a recent Hollywood film: The Martian. In The Martian, an exploration journey to Mars is dramatically altered and the significance of a single life becomes the central concern of a distant crew, an overextended NASA, the nation, and even the world.
A similar story of risking the lives of others to save one individual's life occurs frequently in battle, but it is Western culture that most poignantly embraces the ‘no man left behind’ philosophy.
Brian relates the powerful nature of this life protecting ethic via a true story. During World War II, through the unique methods of submarines in recovering downed pilots, all the lives of the subs crew are put at risk. The Japanese culture and the soldiers attempting to kill the airman and sink the sub found this so foreign and foolish and extraordinarily absurd when compared to their value system.
There are many different cultures that have different cultural values. What makes Western civilization unique is that it asserts that individual human lives have value in and of themselves.
In Western Civ’s clearest iteration, the American founding, the value of human lives is beyond measure and it is the first duty of government to protect the uniqueness and the rights of every individual life.
You need to work at this moment in history to ensure the survival of Western Civilization. It is at immediate risk. You need to fight to preserve the right to life.
