Unbound and continuous development is the existential condition of evolution. The tendency of evolution, like any other development, is morally unconditional, even human reason plays no regulating role here. Which reason, which morality could claim to have a normative influence at all? The diversity of dogmatic or alternating ideologies, solid and mood-based opinions and the contradictory justifications of a particular reason derived from these cannot be taken as a generally binding norm.
And yet there is an element given to humanity that controls, or at least manipulates, the tendency of developments. This element is power, in whatever form, which controls, directs and shapes the course of events in the here and now. Power shapes developments according to their rationality, i.e. for their benefit, for their preservation. Power is a far-reaching concept that includes everything that has the means to enforce its ideas and views on the people under its influence, who are dependent on it for their existence.
From this point of view, is not everything that is supposedly outlandish, illogical, immoral and inhuman that can be observed merely an individual interpretation of those who do not participate in the prevailing power relations at any given time or correspond to their world view?
Does this mean that the so-called principle of reason, in relation to the categorical imperative, which demands the unconditional universality of the right to exist for all human beings, is now a concept that has become obsolete, just as decency has become antiquated and dispensable; is morality in this consensus open to any favourable interpretation by those who have the power to do so?
As depressing as it may feel, it is probably the same today as it has always been. Existing power relations, whether based on majorities or repression, determined and continue to determine the course of events at the time of their existence. Mankind has come to terms with this, they form oppositions where possible or they endure it fatalistically, as a logical or fated necessity.
But power is an unstable, periodic state, and this also applies to any positive, prosperous development of human populations. Power and positive developments are always only temporary for the segment of the existing population that has the highest development potential or the greatest power at time X. The dynamics of a partially positive development presuppose a lack of potential on the part of the competitor. However, this essential prerequisite is unstable and can be reversed at any time. The high potential of the one flows into the lower potential of the other as the dynamic diminishes, which thus increasingly gains momentum and mutates into an equal competitor with the same claims to power and interpretation of morality, reason and decency.
Competing power structures are very susceptible to conflict, with contradictory ideologies and differing economic power. Shadow wars are the rule, proxy wars for economic and political influence are the norm and direct armed conflicts are possible at any time.
So the supposedly destructive developments that are currently emerging internationally, nationally and socially are nothing new; they merely correspond to the conditions of evolution, of continuous development, so far for the preservation of the species. All life, all development is up for grabs at any time. Bitter, frightening, but nevertheless a familiar fact.
Klaus Schneider, August 2025