I know, I know, we could think of relentless revolution in our desires as another kind of insatiability. But relentless revolution also seems to suggest that certain old things go out of existence, perhaps because of a kind of satiation, and certain other new things come into existence. For example, when I was 20, I had certain desires in my life that I do not have today. So certain old desires have gone out of existence, perhaps because they have been satiated. In addition, my new desires in life may ones that can be satiated and thereby be sources of fulfillment in my life.
Next, I want to turn to discussing Gutting's thought-provoking critique of the Skidelskys' proposed anti-satiability view of the good life and their legislative suggestions. Gutting critiques the Skidelskys for making the "mistake of thinking that we can transform our world by legislating values from above."
In connection with this point, I would mention Prohibition as a famous example of legislating values that failed. So Prohibition was eventually repealed.
Gutting claims that "the transformation [of our world] must come from below, forged by the very people it is meant to benefit." In short, each person in a capitalist economy must examine his or her own life and work to cultivate the virtues of moderation and courage in their lives.
In connection with this point, I would mention the famous saying that virtue is its own reward. The virtues of moderation and courage as Plato and Aristotle understand them are their own reward, even for people who grown up and work in a capitalist economy.
Instead of advocating legislative measures, Gutting advocates liberal education as he understands it as the solution for growing up and working in a capitalist economy and living in a democracy. So political liberalism and economic liberalism require liberal education.
I have mentioned the three parts of the human psyche that we find mentioned in Plato's REPUBLIC and the PHAEDRUS. The rational part of the human psyche involves Gutting's liberal education. The desiring part of the human psyche is involved in political liberalism, and the spirited part of the human psyche ("thumos" or "thymos") is involved in economic liberalism.
Even though Gutting does not happen to advert to MacLean's way of thinking about the triune human brain, Gutting envisions the possibility of political liberalism (democracy) and economic liberalism (capitalism) and liberal education as he understands it as three parts of growing up in America that can somehow work together optimally as a triune liberal way of living the good life. Good for Gary Guting! We Americans today need such a vision.
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