In earlier notes and essays I have mentioned the early twentieth century philosopher Juddi Krishnamurti and his environments, which he identifies as the source of our psycho-spiritual suffering and describes them as "wealth, poverty, exploitation, oppression, nationalities, religions, and all the inanities of social life in modern existence,...." (i) I guess I don't really like his use of the word 'environment'. Even though I understood that he was talking about our social environment, I prefer to apply the concept of social systems. This, of course, means that I must define, or at least describe, a social system.
I identify four dominant social systems: family-community; religion; politics-nationalism; and economics. The criteria for a social system is that it exploits and oppresses those whom it encounters. It is also the basis for conflict, as well as real and psychological suffering.
We are drawn to these systems because all systems present themselves as the means to our happiness. Likewise each of the systems is self-portrayed as a positive and necessary manifestation of human life. Who would dare say anything negative about their family? Nevertheless a family system can, and often does, exploit and oppress its members. Girls, for example, are told to act like "ladies"; i.e. do what the system considers girls things; and be submissive to the male population of the family and community. The family often determines the education and career path of the members. For much of European history the first born male was to be a priest and the second born male a soldier. Girls were to be married to a "good" husband; that usually being defined as one with money and/or position; and be a good and submissive wife.
Recognizing the reality of the family-community social system does not mean that one does not love their family members and may love their community. I love my family very much. In fact, I love Pamela's family (ii) and claim them as my own. Nevertheless I am aware of and accept the role of family/community as a social system.
When I started running long distance cross-country trails of forty to fifty miles or more at the age of sixty-seven, there was one member of my family who asked the others "are we going to allow him to do this?" It was a well-meant attempt to be protective, but it was still the foundation of an oppressive act.
I have a grandson who loves sciences and is looking for a good college. He probably has the IQ of a Mensa and all of the finest science and engineering schools in the country are recruiting him. For some reason he thinks he wants to go to the Air Force Academy. I have strong feelings against him becoming a part of the military, but if I were to use my role as his grandfather to pressure him to go a different direction, I would be manifesting the oppression of the family-community social system. How many of you readers were either the target of this type of exploitation and oppression or have seen it in your own family? You may even recognize it in your own behavior as a family member.
Most people are afraid to criticize religion. I am assuming that they are afraid not only of the power of religions but that they might suffer for eternity if the religion is right. I was not only a member of a religion when I was younger, but I was a priest. It was only after years of personal struggle and study that I recognized the truth about religion, especially my own. At this point in my life I hold that religions played, and continues to play, a major role in the decline of homo sapiens. But that is another issue and is addressed elsewhere.
Suffice it to say religion exploits and oppresses. It gets the follower to give it whatever it asks, whether that be their first-born son or their money. It tells people what they will believe and what they will think. It has historically supported and continues today to support ruthless capitalists and violent authoritarian politicians and governments. It uses threats and fear to control its members and often condones bigotry and violence toward those who would disagree.
Politics-nationalism has always been a ruthless and violent system. There is a saying "when anarchy comes to America it will be draped in a flag and holding a Bible." Well, anarchy has come to the United States and guess what ... it justifies itself by waving a flag; playing on people's patriotism and love of country; and holding up a Bible; claiming that it is God's chosen ruler. It maintains its power through violent oppression of any who would disagree and exploiting the desire people have to be proud of their homeland by making them believe that 'the enemy' - anyone who is opposed to the anarchist, even a good citizen - will take away their homeland.
Economics has always been a powerful and generally evil social system. Today most of the world has become capitalistic through colonization, exploitation and oppression. Capitalism, which many Americans think was an American idea, actually goes back to Europe a couple of hundred years before the colonization of America. It is really nothing more than a continuance of feudalism; viz. the rich lord; now known as a CEO, etc.; grows richer by the labor and consumption of the serfs; today's workers. Capitalism is protected by politicians who gain great wealth from the capitalists and is blessed by religion; most specifically Chistianity; so that people are afraid to oppose it.
Whether we like it or not, there is no denying that social systems are the building blocks of arrogance, greed, nationalism, war, bigotry and other forms of violence.
FOOTNOTES:
(ii) In a lecture in Ojai, California, June 16, 1934. From book Krishnamurti, Juddi. Total Freedom: the essential Krishnamurti. Harper Collins Ebooks. p. 20.
(i) Pamela and I are two widowers who found each other late in life. We have seven children and eleven grandchildren between us.
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