ETHICAL PHILOSOPHY: DISCOVERING AN OBVIOUS UNIFYING INFLUENCE

Somehow, as we grow older, being presented with 'obscure' facts becomes an absolute joy. Today much of the solemnity of masonry has been lost.  Limiting ourselves to collective understandings has been uncomfortable. The intensity of inquiry has not extinguished the desire to pursue deeper meaning. Unfortunately this illusion of masonic practice can be off putting for people who expect our lodges will enrich  philosophical learning, only to find otherwise.  How then did we sort this? Largely by enjoying surge in membership by removing qualifiers.  Please, if you will allow I'll attempt aninadequate explanation: Why tamper with meaning?   It is putting ideas with potential to change thinking into the hands of self satisfyed people. This made abstract reasoning an unwanted luxury and fed variations. Passing for a freemason became easier than being one as long as they are never challenged.   At those stations where knowledge is exchanged we see an uncomfortable truth. When a mentor appreciates purpose, he will instill the process of finding purpose in another.  What then is the nature of our core beliefs-ethical philosophy? This  is a polite way of saying that self-awareness requires understanding. Superficial readings beg the question- why does a person not pursue deeper meanings?  I think the answer lies in attitudes toward luxury held by people looking for external affirmation, craving validation to comes instead from within.    Emerging arts, cutting edge science, poetic notions, refined sociability, conviviality, nuanced conversation are for many just unattainable and impractical.  Dare we ever to point out that they are also elements of our brotherhood? So many come to the door as we did. Too many leave disappointed we are not what they expected because we have changed thinking.