I read this book 12 years ago when I didn’t really understand much about how the world operates (especially epistemologically) and how a man’s ethical foundations are central to the development of his world and life view. Reading this now again with fresh eyes I am even more blown away by Alexis De Tocqueville’s work. This may be the most important book ever written about the American experiment. However even more important than that I think is the interesting comments the author makes contrasting the religious experiment both in France and in the United States. Here is a quote from the author’s introduction:
”The poor man retains the prejudices of his forefathers without their faith, and their ignorance without their virtues; he has adopted the doctrine of self-interest as the rule of his actions without understanding the science that puts it to use; and his selfishness is no less blind than was formerly his devotion to others.” – pg.20
What is particularly intriguing about this quote is what De Tocqueville says concerning the ethical mindset of the poor man. The quote succinctly describes the current situation in England and Europe and what is most assuredly coming our way. Once man is loosed from the bonds of religion one cannot be surprised when his base nature takes over and rules his life. Even an atheist like De Tocqueville can recognize the basic fact that when there is “no king” people will do “what is right in their own eyes”. When self makes the rules the rules will always benefit the self.
