Orthodoxy Chapter 4

[Doreen]

Chapter 4 Summary: The Ethics of Elfland.

[Galicius]

Carlos wrote: "After three chapters detailing the many absurdities of the modernist world view, Chesterton turns at last to his own view of the world. And he begins at the beginning. He begins with his childhood...."

That’s a beautiful précis of the “Ethics of Elfland” chapter, Carlos. You are right about Chesterton developing various threads throughout the book. We focus on one and another line of thought comes to the surface, not unlike in a fugue.

I liked the way Chesterton describes his loss of illusion of “practical politics”. It reminded me of my own early life beliefs in some sort of progress of democracy and civilization before I realized that governments and politicians mostly have a hidden agenda. Chesterton calls it his belief in “Liberals”. He learned it’s more important to recognize “the essential things in man . . . (things) they hold in common” and to “leave ordinary men to themselves”. (p. 72-73) That is his understanding of democracy. It’s as if by magic Chesterton was able to maintain “with unbroken certainty” what he learned in the nursery and “being fed on fairy tales. (p. 75-76) … where magic is not a law”. (p.80) He sees life “as precious as it (is) puzzling”. (p. 83) I like the way he describes himself as “yokel type like myself, people who gape and grin” (p. 85) with childlike curiosity looking for the “story-teller”. (p. 93) Also his conclusion that the “magic must have a meaning, and meaning must have someone to mean it”, (p. 98) and that the “proper form of thanks to it is some form of humility and restraint.” (p. 99)

[Manny]

I'm really loving this book. It's a magnificent work. I'm still only in Chapter five, but I did post in my blog on Chapter Four. I really liked Chesteron's "Fairy Godmother Philosophy!" Instead of just copying and pasting, here's a link to it.

http://ashesfromburntroses.blogspot.c...