Quote:
Originally posted by GreatWyrm of Babylon@08-29-2003 11:58 PM
I consider myself a rational philosophist, meaning that if I am incapable of measuring it, I do not attempt to manipulate it.
For instance, I place a high value on human life. This is not because I think some deity demands it, but because if I do not place a high value on your life you are unlikely to place one on mine. If I place a low value on the lives of people I interact with someone may learn my value too well and sell my life to the highest bidder, and that would not be good for me. In other words, I respect your right to life totally out of self interest, and do not pretend it is for any other reason. Stealing is easily resolved with the same equation.
I prefer not to initiate violence, note, I am not a pacifist. If I have to choose between my life and yours I hope you have made arrangements. I may sacrifice myself for a loved one, but not unless it will actually succeed. Throwing my life away with theirs is both a waste and eliminates the possibility of revenge. I suppose that brings me to revenge. Revenge is to be sought only when the target is either capable of learning from the action, or if it would make the world a better place to have them removed from the playing field.
I do not recognize owing anybody for being alive. I respect my parents for raising me with compassion and respect, but not for giving me life. They neither asked me if I wanted to be born, nor had any control over it being me personally that was born. I do not have any duty to them for raising me, it is what was expected of them, but that does not mean I do not recognize their intent or degree of success.
I am not Mr Spock, I make as many decisions each day with emotion as anybody else. But I do not allow my emotions to make me do things that go against my self interest, or use wishful thinking to guide my plans. Or at least I do not allow it to happen intentionally, I do make errors. (lol) No matter how much I trust someone I will have a backup plan, I just might not tell them about it. (lol)
I guess you are familular with my debate style. I do not consider testimonials as valid arguements, because absolutes do not exist. The best laid plans can fail, and the worst ones suceed. Pointing at the exceptions proves nothing. I prefer to debate in logos, I am well versed in the other forms but not as skilled. I also lack the interest in them. |
I describe myself as being an Anarchist with a strong belief in preserving individual liberties. I am a moralist and a christian but I believe that ones morality is a matter of individual choice and cannot be mandated by government. If you place a two ton rock with the 10 commandments in front of a courthouse it will not make people obey the commandments. If you force kids to pray in school it will not make them better behaved.
I do believe that society should provide for the needs of the most needy in society. Employment should be given to all who are able and willing to work. There should be free education to all. All people should have the right and freedom to choose the work of their choice.
Prisons should serve the dual purpose of reforming offenders and protecting society from potentially dangerous individuals until they are no longer a threat. Prisons should be safe places where all inmates can be incarcerated for the length of their sentences. Inmates should be observed and monitored. Inmates need to learn the rules of good citizenship. Inmate violence must not be tolerated. Video cameras can do a lot of good in this respect. Rape, beatings and other inmate crime must be eliminated.
Torture, the death penalty and other abuses have no place in a free society.
Health care must be made available to all citizens. Housing should be available to all. The most basic needs must be provided.
Completely wasteful public expenditures such as money for the war machine, prosecution of victimless crimes such as drug offenses, gambling or prostitution should be eliminated.
In my ideal state, there will be freedom of speech, of the press, of religion and a basic respect for human rights.
This is what I believe!