Following the inconclusive result to the election some weeks ago, the parties and leaders have found themselves forced to decide which of their pledges are non-negotiable in order to arrive at a consensus. It has been interesting to note how, even when the fundamental issues are not in question – a stable economy, justice, fairness and individual freedom and responsibility – there seem to be so many different opinions as to which route will get us to the grail

 

Tomorrow, 5^th June 2010, is the 287^th anniversary of the birth of Adam Smith, the father of modern economics. Originally a student and teacher of moral philosophy, Smith became known for his extreme eccentricity, personal generosity and sharp mind. His lifetime’s work was to bring together the twin themes that lazy thinkers would have us believe separate our political parties: care for others and self-interest

 

On one hand Adam Smith insisted that “no society can surely be flourishing and happy, as long as the far greater part of the members are poor and miserable” and yet he was also the advocate of the same highly mechanised industrial practices that made work highly productive but hugely tedious. Smith was also the originator of the idea that there was an "invisible hand" by which society benefits when people behave in their own best interests and yet he also proposed a theory of sympathy, in which the act of observing others makes people aware of themselves and the morality of their own behaviour." by which society benefits when people behave in their own best interests and yet he also proposed a theory of sympathy, in which the act of observing others makes people aware of themselves and the morality of their own behaviour

 

Both examples above seem to suggest that, no matter what the politicians imply before an election, it is sometimes necessary to hold together ideas and goals that may appear to be contradictory in order to achieve the results we all agree on

 

In linking love for God, others and self into one statement Jesus was, in effect, doing just the same thing. Whilst a simplistic representation of Right-wing political thought might begin with love for self, Left-wingers may urge loving others as the highest goal and none of the parties comfortable with ‘doing God’, all this leads to is the idea that the three can’t be forced together. But, in Jesus’ understanding, loving God results in the lover receiving love, peace and joy in return which enables her to love others better. And, if we are to truly love ourselves it has to include being kind to others if only because doing so makes us feel far happier