Your soul needs order without rigid planning – Organic Society

by John Horvat II

Some of the most beautiful things in life are not planned. Good conversations, close relationships or works of art are all examples of things that usually just happen. No strict planning is needed or even desired. Marvelous things naturally develop to the extent that the intellect is in order and the instincts and tendencies are in sync with virtue.

(Christmas market. Photo in public domain.)

Such a lack of planning does not reflect a defect or dearth of intelligence.  Rather, it reflects a more profound order than just following a mechanical sequence of a predetermined plan.

When the soul of a person is in order, it naturally gives rise to habits, gestures, customs that are in order.  Later this interior order generates systems of art, styles of life and socio-political institutions that flower without rigid planning.  A poetic work, for example, emerges from such an order; it cannot be put on a production schedule.

Of course, reason must keep what emerges from this order under its control lest these good impulses become deformed.  However, it is a benevolent control that nurtures these impulses, observes their development, encourages their growth and corrects their defects.

This is not to say that planning does not have its role in society. There are many things that must be planned well in advance and in great detail.  However, in a truly organic order, there are also an enormous number of things that are not rigidly planned.  These things give life great meaning and beauty.

                                                             ***

                        

The topic of Organic Christian Society is fully developed by John Horvat II in the soon to be released book Return to Order, which you can get for the 30% presale discount.