YAY! A fellow fanatic of G.K. Chesterton! :extrahappy:
Chesterton in that quote means that you can make generalizations of the world around you, and when you make those generalizations, you will soon find out that you will find exceptions to the rules. Chesterton made the theoretical example of someone (letâs say an alien
) studying the anatomy of man. That alien may note that man has a brain lobe on his left and on his right; an eye each on the left and the right; a nostril each on the left and the right; a lung each on the left and the right. The alien then notes that man has a heart on the left; it then makes the conclusion that man also has a heart on the rightâŚbefore it sees it is mistaken (I know, I know, that supposes an erroneous knowledge of anatomy, but Chesterton was a poet, not a doctor
).
He then notes later in the chapter that if there is an institution that not only makes generalizations but also knows beforehand the exceptions to those generalizations, then that institution must be extraordinarily guided. He then asserts that the Church is such an institution, for which he gives examples.
Well of course I agree! I mean, this is G.K. Chesterton talking!
But the thing is, he was correct. The world makes generalizations, and it uses these generalizations to live as it pleases, and the world stumbles with unforeseen difficultiesâŚwhich the Church had warned beforehand.
The most glaring example, for me, is
Humanae Vitae. The world sees that overpopulated cities get dirty, chaotic, and lack resources. So why not prevent overpopulation of countries and the Earth by controlling reproduction? Well, just read what Pope Paul VI had to say about that. From the 17th paragraph of
Humanae Vitae:
- Responsible men can become more deeply convinced of the truth of the doctrine laid down by the Church on this issue if they reflect on the consequences of methods and plans for artificial birth control. Let them first consider how easily this course of action could open wide the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards. Not much experience is needed to be fully aware of human weakness and to understand that human beingsâand especially the young, who are so exposed to temptationâneed incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law. Another effect that gives cause for alarm is that a man who grows accustomed to the use of contraceptive methods may forget the reverence due to a woman, and, disregarding her physical and emotional equilibrium, reduce her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection.
Finally, careful consideration should be given to the danger of this power passing into the hands of those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Who will blame a government which in its attempt to resolve the problems affecting an entire country resorts to the same measures as are regarded as lawful by married people in the solution of a particular family difficulty? Who will prevent public authorities from favoring those contraceptive methods which they consider more effective? Should they regard this as necessary, they may even impose their use on everyone. It could well happen, therefore, that when people, either individually or in family or social life, experience the inherent difficulties of the divine law and are determined to avoid them, they may give into the hands of public authorities the power to intervene in the most personal and intimate responsibility of husband and wife.
Prophetic, ainât it? Also, read
here.
Anyways, how about my favorite example of Chestertonian wit?
About 100 years ago, a British paper invited many writers to answer the same question,
Whatâs Wrong With the World? They extended the invitation to G. K. Chesterton who wrote back,
Code:
Dear Sirs;
I am.
Sincerely,
G.K. Chesterton
