A collection of photographs, interesting thoughts, and elaborate audio musings, and other such geekery.
Friday Night (or perhaps Saturday morning) - Quotified
Posted 03-29-08 at 12:37 AM by Chipp
I never did give anybody hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell.
-Harry Truman
This brings up the classic debate of feelings versus force - the school of thought where the means are more important than the ends contrasting with the end result being more important than the means of attaining it. Personally, I'm a believer in the second philosophy - where the greater good takes precedence over the individual's concerns. For every person like myself, however, there is at least one who feels quite differently. This is the balance that keeps us all in some semblance of sanity and function, and as such I'm interested in hearing some opinions on this one before I delve into depth on my own personal views. Timeless issue? Moot point? Please do share.
-Harry Truman
This brings up the classic debate of feelings versus force - the school of thought where the means are more important than the ends contrasting with the end result being more important than the means of attaining it. Personally, I'm a believer in the second philosophy - where the greater good takes precedence over the individual's concerns. For every person like myself, however, there is at least one who feels quite differently. This is the balance that keeps us all in some semblance of sanity and function, and as such I'm interested in hearing some opinions on this one before I delve into depth on my own personal views. Timeless issue? Moot point? Please do share.
Total Comments 3
Comments
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...and we come face to face with one of the core Philosophical-substances that is one of the more confounding conundrums of our Species and our combined Philosophies.
Balance.
I believe that the method is of (essentially) equal value to the desired end. There are a few (imho) clear-cut events that sway drastically from this.
Nagasaki and Hiroshima: One of the darkest events in human history that took the lives of thousands, and poisoned the environment for years to follow... but it seems it was a necessary Evil. Those two events spared many thousands more their lives, perhaps steered several Nations from Economic calamity, and brought to end what I can only hope was the last of an insane Species' willingness to turn their only Home into a shattered war-torn wasteland.
In this, the result justified the ignominy of the means: We killed Thousands in order to save Millions (unquantifiable body count).
One of the first questions that comes to mind is: "What Human knows "Truth?". The second is: "Who is to decide what is best for everyone?"
In my travels I have seen greatly disparate belief systems, wherein one Social norm is reviled in another Society - so much so that Wars are waged.
Any given moment is comprised of the events that lead up to it, therefore the nature of said precursors has a voice in the final value of the outcome (bearing in mind that the outcome is also a catalyst for future events).
It seems to me that temperance is a trait that is in danger of becoming extinct. It is that temperance (granted it is over a wide and elusive spectrum) that would free us from the need to take such drastic actions.
Temperance and Balance.
An individuals’ concerns is of profound importance... to the individual. There are some that I have met in my life that willing shuns objects and events that take them out of Balance - denying themselves. Clearly my PC obsession precludes me from that enlightened group, but I try in other areas of my live...
"Live simply, so that others may simply live."
Temperance.
I apologize for my random blurting of incomplete thoughts and less-than fully exposed personal Philosophies. As a very general rule I would say that the end and the means are part-and-parcel; one and the same. The quality of events dictates the quality of the outcome.
Balance. Fluidity. Willingness.
A Timeless Issue for as long as Humans are Humans, we easily are thrown out of Balance, become more and more Rigid as we age, and in more cases than I would like think; are unwilling to sacrifice.
Far from moot.
We care for each other, in so doing we care for ourselves.
I don't know about anyone else, but from what I have seen the Truth is both Heaven and Hell. It depends upon the moment.Posted 03-29-08 at 10:56 AM by Syrillian
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Syrillian's comments bring me back to a Star Wars moment, when Obi-Wan speaks to the Gungans about symbiosis.
Aye, we (as in humanity) are all part of the same chain; consequences and subsequent consequences of our choices comprise this funny thing called life.
An insightful one you are, Chipp.
As they say in my native language, "Maraming salamat sa iyo." (Thank you very much.)
Posted 03-29-08 at 12:18 PM by txtmstrjoe
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Although this is an old blog I feel I have something I can contribute to it. This quote comes from a book I recently read by Milton Friedman, titled "Capitalism and Freedom":
"A common objection to totalitarian societies is that they regard the end as justifying the means. Taken literally, this objection is clearly illogical. If the end does not justify the means, what does? But this easy answer does not dispose of the objection; it simply shows that the objection is not well put. To deny that the end justifies the means is indirectly to assert that the end in question is not the ultimate end, that the ultimate end is itself the use of the proper means. Desirable or not, any end that can be attained only by the use of bad means must give way to the more basic end of the use of acceptable means."
Now I do not know the exact scope of your opinion that "the greater good takes precedence over the individual's concerns", however I am pretty sure I understand what you are saying. Who exactly is it that determines what the "greater good" is. How is this person or this manipulated by the self interest of those powerful enough to control it? I guess my opinion on the matter is aligned strongly with John Stuart Mill that:
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not a sufficient warrant. . . ." and "The only part of the conduct of any one, for which he is amenable to society, is that which concerns others. In the part which merely concerns himself, his independence is, of right, absolute. Over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign."
Adam Smith said in his famous book, The Wealth of Nations, that an individual who "intends only his own gain" is " led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. I have never known much good done by those who affected to trade for the public good". Milton Friedman takes this anaylsis and applies it to those seeking to aid the public through government, "In the government sphere, as in the market, these seems to be an invisible hand, but it operate in precisely the opposite direction from Adam Smith's: an individual who intends only to serve the public interest by fostering government intervention is "led by an invisible hand to promote" private interests, "which was no part of his intention."Posted 07-28-08 at 08:32 PM by pauldovi
