Liberalism vs. Critical Constructivism
Cognitive liberty versus the descent into collectivist hell
Liberalism and Critical Constructivism (the technical term for “Woke”) represent two opposing ideologies in today's battleground of ideas, locked in a fight over what it means to be free, to think, and to live. One promotes the freedom of the individual, the sanctity of cognitive liberty, and the right to pursue one’s own path without coercion. The other? It drives toward a dark and dangerous collectivism, grounded in a socially constructed reality that promises hell on earth. This essay argues for the principles of Liberalism — the protection of the individual and their mind from the mob. In contrast, Critical Constructivism — that seductive, reality-warping cult doctrine — seeks to imprison human thought within the cage of social power, leading to a society where the individual is trampled underfoot by collectivist boots.
Liberalism: The Individual
Liberalism begins and ends with the individual. It is a doctrine built on the foundational idea that people are born with inherent rights — to think freely, speak openly, and live autonomously. It stands on three pillars: cognitive liberty, limited government, and the inviolability of personal property and freedoms.
Cognitive Liberty: This is not just some theoretical ideal; it is the absolute right of every person to control their own thoughts, beliefs, and decisions. Liberalism recognizes that a society in which individuals are free to form and debate ideas without fear of coercion is a society that flourishes. This is where human creativity comes alive, where individual talents and perspectives combine to drive progress and innovation. In the liberal vision, human beings are autonomous, not subject to the dogmatic dictates of a collective ideology. They are free to think — and that is precisely why liberal societies have historically been places of scientific, artistic, and moral advancement.
Limited Government and Rule of Law: Liberalism requires a state that knows its place — and that place is minimal. The government's role is not to dictate how people should live, think, or feel but to protect the rights of individuals from being infringed upon by others. A liberal government is not a paternal figure but a watchman standing on the sidelines, ensuring that no one breaks the rules of fair play. It serves as a shield against the ever-looming threat of tyranny and oppression, a necessary barrier to the expansion of collective power.
Personal Liberties and Property Rights: Liberalism recognizes that individual freedom is hollow without property rights. To own oneself is to own one’s labor, creativity, and products. The right to property — both material and intellectual — is an extension of the right to self-determination. Personal liberties are not just abstract ideals; they manifest in the right to speak one’s mind, to assemble freely, to practice a religion without interference, and to pursue happiness as one sees fit. Liberalism’s emphasis on property and liberty means that each person can carve out a life that is uniquely theirs, without being forced into a mold by the collective will.
Critical Constructivism: The Reality-Bending Cult Doctrine
Critical Constructivism, on the other hand, is an enemy of individual liberty and cognitive freedom. It stands on three principles: the social construction of reality, the obsession with power relations, and a radical critique of individualism that reduces the individual to a mere reflection of their social group. But these principles are not designed to free people; they are designed to bind them — to a collective will, a collective reality, and ultimately to an authoritarian state of affairs where the individual is nothing more than a pawn in the hands of the powerful.
Social Construction of Reality: Critical Constructivism rejects objective reality in favor of the view that reality is merely a product of social interactions and language. It demands that we see everything — truth, morality, even biology — as contingent upon culture and power. In this view, what you perceive as "reality" is nothing more than the ideological manifestation of dominant social forces. Critical Constructivists argue that nothing is fixed, nothing is truly knowable; everything is fluid, moldable, and, most importantly, controllable. It is a philosophy that serves as the ideological underpinning for all forms of thought policing and social engineering.
Power Relations and Social Justice: This cult is obsessed with power — not as an element to be balanced or checked, but as something to be seized and wielded. The language of Critical Constructivism is designed to expose "oppressive" power dynamics, arguing that all social norms, traditions, and institutions are mere tools for the powerful to maintain control. In their quest for "social justice," Critical Constructivists do not seek equality of opportunity but rather an enforced equality of outcomes, achieved by any means necessary. The obsession with power is not about liberating individuals; it is about redistributing power from one collective to another, inevitably leading to a new form of authoritarian control.
The Death of the Individual and Rise of the Collective: Critical Constructivism stands in direct opposition to Liberalism’s focus on the individual. It argues that individualism is a myth, a lie propagated to maintain oppressive social structures. In place of individual autonomy, Critical Constructivists promote collective identities based on race, gender, sexuality, and class. Your worth is determined not by who you are but by the group you belong to. The individual is erased, subsumed under the banner of identity politics, which fractures society into warring tribes and pits them against one another in an endless struggle for power and recognition.
The Hell of Collectivism and Constructed Reality
Critical Constructivism’s collectivist dogma and socially constructed reality lead inevitably to an Orwellian nightmare. In its drive to bend reality to fit its agenda, Critical Constructivism sacrifices truth, freedom, and human dignity on the altar of "social progress."
Thought Policing and Reality Control: If reality is socially constructed, then it can be deconstructed and reconstructed by those who hold power. Critical Constructivism opens the door to authoritarian thought control, where dissenting ideas are branded as "hate speech," "phobia," or some other term meant to shut down debate and enforce ideological conformity. In the name of "social justice," Critical Constructivism demands that we change not just how we act but how we think. It creates a culture of fear and silence, where people are forced to parrot the "correct" beliefs or face ostracism, loss of livelihood, or worse.
The Destruction of Personal Responsibility and Agency: Critical Constructivism reduces human beings to passive products of social forces. Personal responsibility is discarded, and the individual is seen as incapable of independent thought or action. This creates a culture of victimhood, where people are encouraged to see themselves as powerless victims of an oppressive society rather than as agents capable of shaping their own destiny. It fosters dependency on the state, creating a society where individuals are conditioned to look to the government for solutions to every problem — a society ripe for authoritarian control.
Social Division and Identity-Based Warfare: By promoting identity politics and the collectivist view of human beings, Critical Constructivism turns society into a battlefield of competing groups. Instead of fostering a sense of shared humanity and common values, it encourages people to see each other as adversaries, defined by their group identity and locked in an endless struggle for power. This balkanization of society into warring factions erodes social cohesion and fosters resentment, suspicion, and conflict. It is a recipe for societal fragmentation and chaos.
The Paramountcy of Cognitive Liberty and Individualism
The principles of Liberalism offer the only real antidote to the hell of Critical Constructivism. By placing cognitive liberty at the center of human life, Liberalism affirms the capacity of every individual to think, reason, and determine their own path. A society that cherishes cognitive liberty is one where ideas can be debated openly, where beliefs can be challenged and refined, and where human creativity can flourish. In contrast to the reality-warping, authoritarian tendencies of Critical Constructivism, Liberalism offers a path to genuine human flourishing.
The Marketplace of Ideas as a Catalyst for Progress: Liberalism’s commitment to free thought and open debate — the "marketplace of ideas" — is what drives intellectual progress. It allows individuals to challenge assumptions, test beliefs, and pursue truth. The marketplace of ideas is where human potential is unleashed, where diverse perspectives collide and converge to form new insights and understandings. It is only through this freedom of thought that a society can grow and prosper.
Personal Responsibility and the Pursuit of Happiness: Liberalism recognizes that individuals are not mere cogs in a social machine; they are agents capable of making choices, taking responsibility, and pursuing happiness on their own terms. By affirming individual rights and freedoms, Liberalism empowers people to take control of their lives, develop their talents, and contribute to society in meaningful ways. It celebrates human dignity and the capacity for self-improvement, fostering a culture where people are encouraged to strive for excellence and personal fulfillment.
Social Cohesion through Voluntary Association: Unlike the enforced collectivism of Critical Constructivism, Liberalism promotes voluntary association, where individuals form communities and connections based on mutual consent and shared values. This allows for the creation of genuine human bonds — not those imposed by a collective ideology, but those formed by free and willing individuals. In a liberal society, people are not forced into social categories; they are free to define themselves and build relationships based on common interests, goals, and ideals.
Conclusion
The clash between Liberalism and Critical Constructivism is not merely a theoretical debate but a battle for the very soul of society. Liberalism, with its emphasis on cognitive liberty, individual rights, and voluntary association, offers a vision of a world where human beings are free to think, speak, and pursue their own paths without the heavy hand of the collective crushing their spirit. It is a philosophy that affirms human dignity, personal responsibility, and the power of free thought to drive progress and build a cohesive society rooted in mutual respect.
In stark contrast, Critical Constructivism’s collectivist approach and socially constructed reality pose a direct threat to individual freedom and societal harmony. By reducing people to mere reflections of social groups and attempting to control thought and discourse through identity-based politics, it not only undermines cognitive liberty but also fosters division, resentment, and the seeds of authoritarianism. The erosion of personal responsibility and the obsession with power dynamics create a reality where the individual is sacrificed for the illusory promise of social justice, leading not to liberation but to oppression and chaos.
Ultimately, the choice is clear: we can embrace the liberal ideal of cognitive liberty and individual autonomy, which nurtures a society of free thinkers and creators, or we can descend into the hell of Critical Constructivism, where collectivist ideologies imprison thought, warp reality, and crush the spirit of human individuality. The paramount value of the individual and their cognitive freedom must be upheld as the bedrock of a thriving, prosperous, and just society — for without it, we risk losing not only our freedoms but our very humanity.
-Logan