The YouTube clip titled 'Jonathan Pageau encourages World Leaders to pursue the supreme Good' presents a speech in which Jonathan Pageau addresses the theme of the 'supreme Good' in the context of a meaning crisis similar to one experienced by ancient Athens. He references the philosophical debates of that era, particularly the ideas of Plato who posited that behind the physical world are eternal forms, with the highest being the form of the Good. For Plato, everything exists to participate in the Good.
Pageau contrasts this with the materialistic view that everything is made up of atoms and physical substances, suggesting that this view is inadequate to explain human experiences of value, despair, and societal fragmentation. He argues that the world cannot be fully described in terms of physical substances and forces alone, but must also include human consciousness elements like care and love.
He cautions against idolizing lesser goods such as safety or control, as this can lead to the neglect of other important aspects of life. Pageau emphasizes that while many things can be considered goods, they should not be mistaken for the 'Supreme Good', which is ineffable and beyond all things.
The 'Supreme Good', as he implies, is akin to the divine or God and must not be replaced by lower goods, lest they become tyrannical idols. Pageau encourages his audience to keep their aspirations high and not to become fixated on lesser, transient goods, but to always aim for the higher Good.
In essence, the speech is a call to re-evaluate our understanding of what is ultimately valuable and to ensure that our pursuit of goods remains ordered toward the highest Good.
