JustSheila
Crusader
Could we come up with a better model for society than Plato or Scientology?
At the top of Plato's ideal society, were the politicians/philosophers to govern over the rest. They weren't allowed riches and luxuries, but had to live an austere life.
At the top of Scientology was the politician/philosopher/cult leader governing us - L Ron Hubbard, and later, DM. It didn't work. There was nobody to ensure the cult leader lived an austere life, nor would there be, if the cult leaders run the show. L Ron Hubbard was filthy rich. So is DM - with all the power and money of the cult at his exclusive fingertips.
In Plato's society, just beneath the leaders/philosophers were the military. These were the enforcers, the ones who would battle anyone who challenged the society on demand, without question, using whatever tactics, right or wrong, they thought appropriate.
Also existing in Scn, was the GO or OSA or IAS doing exactly that. Divorced from the philosophers in their own sort of bubble, they could and did commit atrocious crimes on others in the name of the society of Scientology. In Scientology, the philosophy was written in such a duplicitous manner, that it could be flipped around to justify inhumane actions, while at the same time claiming to be a humanitarian organisation.
Beneath that were the technically skilled and businesspeople, allowed all sorts of riches that they could earn without limitation, left alone to do as they please.
Also does not work - have a look at current societies where the money simply feeds the top 1% of that group, who then influence the military and leaders.
There are a lot of great minds on ESMB. What are your ideas of the ideal society?
At the top of Plato's ideal society, were the politicians/philosophers to govern over the rest. They weren't allowed riches and luxuries, but had to live an austere life.
At the top of Scientology was the politician/philosopher/cult leader governing us - L Ron Hubbard, and later, DM. It didn't work. There was nobody to ensure the cult leader lived an austere life, nor would there be, if the cult leaders run the show. L Ron Hubbard was filthy rich. So is DM - with all the power and money of the cult at his exclusive fingertips.
In Plato's society, just beneath the leaders/philosophers were the military. These were the enforcers, the ones who would battle anyone who challenged the society on demand, without question, using whatever tactics, right or wrong, they thought appropriate.
Also existing in Scn, was the GO or OSA or IAS doing exactly that. Divorced from the philosophers in their own sort of bubble, they could and did commit atrocious crimes on others in the name of the society of Scientology. In Scientology, the philosophy was written in such a duplicitous manner, that it could be flipped around to justify inhumane actions, while at the same time claiming to be a humanitarian organisation.
Beneath that were the technically skilled and businesspeople, allowed all sorts of riches that they could earn without limitation, left alone to do as they please.
Also does not work - have a look at current societies where the money simply feeds the top 1% of that group, who then influence the military and leaders.
There are a lot of great minds on ESMB. What are your ideas of the ideal society?