What conflicts with the higher development of thought, is a certain credibility gap between what public perception allows, and what has been demonstrated as truth.  This credibility gap is once again the product of empiricist thinking which imposes limits for perception according to what is (presently) deemed as physically possible.  Empiricist thinking cannot acknowledge anything that exists beyond the tangible as an aspect of truth.  Its recognition of truth ends at the 'sensual' limits.

Sexual sensuality falls within the empirical boundaries.  Consequently it becomes glamorized and intensified by all possible means, as though it were the end point.  Whatever lies beyond its limit, such as love, honor, and commitment, which are vital elements in family formation, becomes negated by the empiricist as of little or no substance.  The farther the spiritual concepts are separated from the empirical limit, therefore, the less credible they become.  Love, for instance, unlike honor, can be understood within the empirical limit as an emotional thing, where it is glorified and sensualized.  Honor, on the other hand has no meaning in the empirical sphere.  Here, the beginning of credibility can be noticed, between it and empiric perception.  That this gap is real is evident by the currency speculation mania that has become almost a universal phenomenon and destroys the welfare of entire nations, where honor has no place.  Everyone expects a windfall profit from stocks, whether it be stocks, or national currencies, or derivatives, while the process of trading doesn't produce anything in real terms that creates new wealth.  In other words, the profits of one 'investor' are stolen out of the pockets of his fellow 'investor,' in an endless con game.  Honor has no meaning here.  In fact this process is possible only because honor has no meaning.  Officially, this is called a zero sum game, in which there are as many winners as losers.  In real terms, it is a legal form of robbery in which the financially powerful, who are able to manipulate the markets, steal from the little guy.

To those who recognize value in the more spiritual aspects, such as love, honor, and commitment, find these higher spiritual qualities substantial and beneficial, even highly rewarding.  The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad, pointed out at the World Bank meeting in Hong Kong (Sept. 20, 1997), China, that many Asian nations have chosen a different course than zero sum robbery.  The new course is called "prosper-thy-neighbor."*(EIR Oct. 3, 1997 p.10)  It has been recognized that by helping each other to prosper, everyone wins.  While the contrast between rich and poor nations creates problems, the course of cooperative development creates immense opportunities for further development.  The end result is a multiplying game.  Here, everyone gains, and this without stealing.  Here, honor is found to be substantial.

Spiritual qualities, like honor, are actually far more widely applied than is apparent on the surface.  The society's family unit is built on quite a few of them and prospers in proportion to which they are recognized as substantial.  The family unit, in turn, has long been recognized as one of the foundations of civilization.  It provides economic strength, a moral platform for procreation, a sanctuary for the development of children, protection from vice, and a platform for individual development.  It has become one of the pillars of civilization, so much so that tradition and religion have held the institution of marriage sacred, which is a crucial element of the family unit.

While great pressures are being brought to bear in modern times towards destroying the functionality of the family unit, it has survived, though somewhat weakened.  This victory demonstrates the substance of the spiritual qualities it is build on, by which it operates.  Thus, it continues to be the moral foundation of civilization.

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Stories about War from novels by Rolf A. F. Witzsche