A flourishing civilization seeks wisdom, glorifies heroism, and contemplates wonder. A dying civilization seeks power, glorifies survival, and contemplates confusion. An undead civilization seeks "wellness", glorifies "authenticity", and contemplates "self-expression".

In order to be good, one needs to be virtuous, not "nice". In order to be true, one needs to be honest, not "authentic". In order to be wise, one needs to be discriminating, not "open-minded". And in order to be civilized, one needs to be principled, not "sophisticated".

The fundamental challenge of ancient man was to be wise. The fundamental challenge of medieval man was to be holy. The fundamental challenge of modern man was to be effective. The fundamental challenge of contemporary man is not to be ridiculous.

An intellectual golden age produces sages. An intellectual dark age produces fools. An intellectual dark age that fancies itself golden produces intellectuals.