One of those
thoughtful, deep essays about the South that still come along every now and
then, this one by Dr Robert Peters:
The controversial German philosopher Martin Heidegger transformed a
common German word “Gestell” or “lattice work” into a metaphysical paradox which, on the
one hand, is that which motivates or underpins the will, as if an inner drive,
but which, on the other hand, is something “outside” which draws out the will
and gives it form.
Is there a peculiar Southern Gestell: that which motivates from within but also that which draws
from without? The word “peculiar” gives the question a unique
flavor because is denotation is “that which is special or particular” and its
connotation is “that which is odd.” The South presents itself as both:
special and odd. The etymology of “peculiar” reveals a deep agrarian
foundation. It is an ancient term “peculium” which means “property in
cattle,” the very foundation of wealth.
This peculiar Southern Gestell can be apprehended, if not fully comprehended, by those who
have the requisite sensibilities or the metaphorical apophenia for such insight.
Southerners, at least the remnant who are still “Southern,” understand
that there is a transcendent metaphysical Reality which draws to Itself (one
side of Heidegger’s paradox) and demands a response in duty, obligation and
responsibility. It is not a coincidence that Robert E. Lee understood
“duty” to be the most sublime word in our language. It is the counterpose
to the Enlightenment notion of “rights.” The Southerner understand that
the Cosmos is a tragedy, a tragedy which begins with the hamartia of the Fall
and which finds it resolution in the catharsis of the crucified
Christ. Our lives are lived out in this tension field between the
Fall and Redemption. We know intuitively that God’s wrath, curse and judgment
are working their way through the cosmic timeline while His grace, mercy and
redemption are making their way on the same course, both vortexing onto the suffering
Christ who embraces the Cross. The Southerner understands that, as the
poet stated in “The Dream of the Rood,” the Cross is both Victory-Beam and
Doom-Beacon. For the thief on the right of Christ who embraced His
righteousness, the Cross was a Victory-Beam; for the thief on the left who
rejected His righteousness, the Cross was a Doom-Beacon. Although this
metaphysical orientation gets weaker with each generation, Flannery O’Connor
comment is likely still valid: the South is at least Christ-haunted.
A corollary to the apprehension of the Divine is hierarchy which means
“holy order” and not “pecking order.” The Cosmos manifests itself in
hierarchy, from galaxies to bee hives, right down to chickens where it can
indeed become a “pecking order.” . . .
The rest is
at https://www.reckonin.com/robert-peters/the-southern-gestell.
--
Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England, South Patron, pray for us
sinners at the Souð, unworthy though we are!
Anathema to the Union!
