On the Altar of Equality

Visions of Order, by Richard M. Weaver. Louisiana, $4.50

At the center of every culture, Richard. Weaver argues in his last book, is a distinctive image of what one ought to be, and the quality of the culture depends upon the adequacy of that image to the facts of human nature. In Weaver’s terminology, this image is the “myth” of a culture, and as long as it remains effective it creates a hierarchy of values. Behavior is considered desirable to the degree that it is in harmony with the myth. Language, too, is shaped by it, for the connotations of words reflect its imperatives. Subject neither to proof nor disproof, but only to affirmation and negation, the myth constitutes the vision which, as Weaver’s title implies, orders the life of society.

About the Author

Jeffrey Hart

Jeffrey Hart is a contributor to National Review.

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Visions of Order, by Richard M. Weaver. Louisiana, $4.50

At the center of every culture, Richard. Weaver argues in his last book, is a distinctive image of what one ought to be, and the quality of the culture depends upon the adequacy of that image to the facts of human nature. In Weaver’s terminology, this image is the “myth” of a culture, and as long as it remains effective it creates a hierarchy of values. Behavior is considered desirable to the degree that it is in harmony with the myth. Language, too, is shaped by it, for the connotations of words reflect its imperatives. Subject neither to proof nor disproof, but only to affirmation and negation, the myth constitutes the vision which, as Weaver’s title implies, orders the life of society.