Nope. I merely think it's insulting and self-aggrandising the refer to a society as civilised when it still tolerates starvation, homelessness and preventable/treatable disease for its poorest members. Call me fussy.Quote by: ruksak
Nope. I merely think it's insulting and self-aggrandising the refer to a society as civilised when it still tolerates starvation, homelessness and preventable/treatable disease for its poorest members. Call me fussy.
It seems perspective has evaded you. A time machine trip to the 14th century would likely afford you some perspective on how civilized our society has become.
Or....you could just catch a flight to Afghanistan. Either way....
Dear Optimist, Pessimist and Realist, while you guys were arguing about the glass of water, I drank it! ~ Sincerely, the Opportunist.
This is something of a false dichotomy. You could also kill them. That is fair cheaper than the groceries or the guard.
As for myself, I subscribe more to the latter slogan (though not completely).
It is more fitting with my ideal of what is "fair". Life is not fair, but humans can be.
Serious as a heart attack...
...and twice as deadly.
You may say I'm dreamer, but I'm not the only one
I hope someday you will join us and the world will live as one...Thanks John Lennon...
We are so close...We can make our world a better place...we must realize that all men ARE equal and that the value of a man or his labor is not dependent upon his location or religion, or skin color, or education or wealth...We must begin to understand the situation mankind is in...When we get ship wrecked on a deserted island what do we do?...We all work together...we share...We care for the weak and frail...We make goals and seek rescue...Well that truly does describe our situation...we ARE stranded on a deserted island...our Earth is an Oasis in a vast ocean of space...we can see no signs of life anywhere...no hope of rescue...so we must use our resources wisely and protect our little island...as we seek out other places to live...or others..
I own several guns, just in case.
Soooo....the alcoholic sex offender that pumps my gas IS as valued as my fathers heart surgeon? Interesting, do go on....we must realize that all men ARE equal and that the value of a man or his labor is not dependent upon his location or religion, or skin color, or education or wealth...
Dear Optimist, Pessimist and Realist, while you guys were arguing about the glass of water, I drank it! ~ Sincerely, the Opportunist.
Hey, discussion, awesome.
The "I am my brother's keeper" quote typically ends right there. I added the "We are all brother's one with another" just to, for the sake of this discussion, avoid anyone assuming that "brother" was meant literally in this context. It you took brother to be literal then you could easily follow both slogans.
And yes, they are certainly not nuanced, they are, as one person said, just slogans, but I think they do highlight two basic philosophies on the purpose and operation of society and being a citizen within a community.
On the one had there are those who believe that we should be fairly independent. Our effort, rewards, and prosperity should be our own domain as much as possible, with a little dependence on or of the rest of society as possible. That the fruits of our labour belong to us, to use as we see fit to maintain ourselves and those in our immediate care, and the weaknesses or burdens of other are their own problem.
On the other hand there is the idea that we are nothing if not for being part of a larger whole. That we own some measure of whatever success and security we have to the rest of the people in our community, and that a mutual web of support amongst all makes for a stronger community, even if that means an inherent system of wealth distribution disproportionate to work put in.
That is the essence, I feel, of the two slogans.
I largely subscribe to the later of the two. As I live and work, I become increasingly convinced that there is nothing I am, or ever will be, that I don't entirely owe to the rest of my culture and community. I find all of this "I worked for what I have! I don't owe anyone anything!" talk increasingly unconvincing. I just know too much to find that compelling. You may have worked hard, just, but you owe everything, from the material trappings of your life, to the fact that you have knowledge of complex system of grammatical communication, to a broad and deep social and cultural web. I feel that investing back into that system, in what ways I am best capable of, is in all of our best interest, and the best interest of our progeny.
My Atheism/Political Blog: pointofcontention.wordpress.com
My Exploration/Outdoors Blog: explorationblog.wordpress.com
Well, sure. We could just suspend all human emotion and start shooting and killing anyone who doesn't meet our individual standards. Nephew born with mental retardation. Shoot the little fucker. Mom has a car wreck that leaves her unable to contribute. Shot gun solves the problem. What is the cut off point for or between who we shoot and who we don't?
All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground, Scratchin' dirt, cluckin' in the barnyard -
Tell me, could that be you?
John Kay
For me it would be those that violate the rights of others.
When you do someone else intentional harm or take what doesn't belong to you, you have given up your own rights.
Serious as a heart attack...
...and twice as deadly.
The latter statement is the more tribal, and in a competitive, cosmopolitan world of high-tech weaponry that kind of strategy will just result in war and strife.
Better the former. One for all and all for one, everyone pulling for everyone else, mutual co-operation for universal prosperity.
So, if you steal a loaf of bread, we just shoot you?
All I see when I look down, something jumpin' on the ground, Scratchin' dirt, cluckin' in the barnyard -
Tell me, could that be you?
John Kay
I can recognize a certain degree of scale. Perhaps for repeat offenders.
I would support forced labor in prisons to pay for the expenses that people incur as a result of their crimes.
Serious as a heart attack...
...and twice as deadly.
The irony of this is fantastic. Who decides whos rights have been violated? Is killing someone not a violation of their rights? What a hoot this entire philosophy is.
You know, Paul, Reagan proved that deficits don't matter. We won the mid-term elections, this is our due. : Dick Cheney
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