Lessons from "American Primeval"



Self-referencing argumentation—a rhetorical technique where a narrative validates itself using internal claims—can create a compelling story but often blinds us to critical flaws. This method of reasoning has been a cornerstone of some of the most influential, yet controversial, historical and fictional narratives. Netflix’s "American Primeval" offers a stark look at how such narratives can shape the destinies of individuals and societies, sometimes with devastating consequences.

What Is Self-Referencing Argumentation?

At its core, self-referencing argumentation is a loop where a claim validates itself by pointing back to its own structure or origin. For example:

  • A religious leader claims divine authority based on revelations that only they can interpret.
  • A fictional document within a story asserts its authenticity by referencing an internal prophecy.

This form of argumentation can be persuasive because it creates a closed system that feels internally consistent. However, it’s also impervious to external scrutiny, leaving little room for dissent or verification.

Lessons from "American Primeval"

"American Primeval" explores the rugged and often brutal realities of America’s early frontier days. At its heart, the series interrogates how narratives of destiny and divine right—often steeped in self-referencing logic—were used to justify conquest, exclusion, and violence.

Consider how certain settlers framed their expansion as "God’s will," a belief validated by their own interpretation of scripture and success in battle. This self-referencing narrative excused atrocities against Indigenous peoples, justified the subjugation of minorities, and perpetuated cycles of inequality. By relying on internal validation ("We succeeded because God willed it"), these narratives resisted external moral evaluation.

The Broader Implications

Self-referencing argumentation isn’t confined to the past. It appears in:

  • Politics: Leaders claiming infallibility by citing their own unchallenged authority.
  • Religion: Sects interpreting sacred texts to reinforce doctrines that benefit a select few.
  • Marketing: Brands asserting superiority based on their own unverifiable claims.

In each case, the narrative’s closed nature can stifle critical thinking, promote conformity, and obscure alternative perspectives that might serve the greater good.

How to Challenge These Narratives

  1. Seek External Validation: Examine claims against independent evidence or alternative viewpoints.
  2. Question the Source: Assess whether the entity making the claim benefits disproportionately from the narrative.
  3. Encourage Open Dialogue: Create spaces for dissent and discussion to prevent echo chambers.

Conclusion

"American Primeval" reminds us that self-referencing argumentation can create powerful but dangerous narratives. Whether in historical, religious, or political contexts, such stories often benefit a select few at the expense of the many. By understanding and challenging these loops of internal validation, we can ensure that our beliefs and decisions serve not just a narrative but the genuine interests of people.

Let’s question the stories we’re told and the systems that perpetuate them. Only then can we build a future that’s truly inclusive and equitable.

How This Could Work Nowadays

To illustrate how self-referencing argumentation might look in a modern context, consider the following hypothetical email from the future:

Disclaimer:

The following email is a fictional construct, created as a thought experiment to explore how religious narratives might be reimagined in the context of modern values and technological advancements. While inspired by historical events and theological concepts, this email is entirely hypothetical and not intended to challenge, critique, or misrepresent any particular faith or belief system. Its purpose is solely to provoke thoughtful discussion on the evolution of spiritual ideas and their intersection with contemporary challenges.

Email Header Information

Salt Lake City Metroplex Interfaith Council

Subject: Reaffirming Core Values and Expanding Inclusivity in the Church

Dear Members of Our Faithful Community,

As we step into a new era of enlightenment and growth, we write to share a revelation of monumental significance that has forever altered our understanding of faith and scripture. This message comes to you with a renewed sense of purpose, inspired by an extraordinary event that unfolded in the central district of the Salt Lake City Metroplex just last year.

A Revelation from Maroniel
In the year 2804, one of our esteemed community members had a profound encounter with a figure who identified himself as Elder Maroniel. At first, his name seemed ordinary. However, further reflection revealed an additional “el” in the spelling—a subtle yet powerful indicator that the man, and his message, were anything but ordinary. Elder Maroniel explained that he had traveled to the Metroplex to deliver a divine correction to our sacred texts. He carried with him a small, futuristic device capable of projecting holographic images and storing detailed accounts of societal structures, religious reforms, and evidence of divine intent. The device also included verified translations of sacred scripture, revealing errors introduced over centuries.

Witnesses to the encounter described a profound sense of divine presence and clarity that accompanied the Elder's words. His message was not merely an admonition but a roadmap to ensure the Church’s alignment with the Creator’s true intentions.

Correcting and Clarifying Scripture

Monogamy and Marriage
In Jacob 2:27-30, the importance of monogamy is emphasized. The Elder clarified that earlier translations misinterpreted the divine exception. The phrase "for if I will, saith the Lord of Hosts, raise up seed unto me" refers not to procreation through polygamy but to acts of faith and covenant that foster spiritual growth. As Elder Maroniel explained:

“The Lord’s plan has always been unity between two souls, founded on mutual respect and equality. Any deviation from this reflects human corruption, not divine will.”

Inclusion and Equality
In Nephi 26:33, the passage “Black and white, bond and free, male and female; all are alike unto God” is expanded with an omitted line revealed by Elder Maroniel:

“Let no man or woman exclude another from My house, for all are My children.”

This addition underlines that the Creator’s love is universal, making exclusion based on identity or circumstance a violation of divine law.

Equality in Leadership
The Elder unveiled a missing section of Mosiah 18:9 that underscores inclusivity in leadership:

“To mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those in need... and to uphold all who seek My face, regardless of their walk.”

This correction affirms the need for diverse leadership within the Church, including individuals from historically marginalized communities.

Future Reforms and Divine Imperatives
Elder Maroniel's revelations come with clear directives to guide the Church toward its destined future:

  1. End Polygamy: Doctrines referencing polygamy as divinely sanctioned must be replaced with teachings emphasizing monogamous, egalitarian partnerships.
  2. Inclusion in Leadership: The Church must ensure that at least 35% of leadership roles are filled by LGBTQIA+ individuals, reflecting the Creator’s intent for diversity.
  3. Scriptural Corrections: The revised texts delivered by the futuristic device must be integrated into future editions of sacred scripture.

A Call to Faithful Action

These directives are imperatives, rooted in the Creator’s wisdom and revealed through evidence. To reject them is to reject the divine message delivered through Elder Maroniel.

We call upon all members of the Church to embrace these reforms with open hearts and minds, ensuring our faith remains a beacon of truth, love, and inclusivity for generations to come.

In faith and fellowship,

Salt Lake City Metroplex Interfaith Council