Apologies for not posting in a while, I guess had nothing to share my semi philosophical perceptions of society etc to share with anyone. Until now. Allow me to share a quote
“As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality.”
Said quote is provided by a certain George Washington. What I believe Mr Washington is trying to say is if you conduct yourselves in a way deemed by the government, you reap the rewards. True my perception may seem quite cynical, however I've think I mentioned before how society is nothing more than a collaborations of opinions.
I'm sure if you asked certain residents of the ol' USA if they felt a sense of community, some may disagree. Then again ask people of our country more may disagree, the general consensus being that people don't talk anymore. And thus when you pass someone in the street you are more likely to be scared of them then talk to them. The reason for this?
It'd be unwise for me to say my reason as the alpha and omega, but i can't but think and believe it's truth. The reason I think there is a lack of community is the size of everything. Supermarkets are getting bigger and bigger, populations are getting bigger, and media is getting bigger. And in my Jerry McGuire style of thinking the only way to build community is to build friendships, and I'm afraid friendships aren't built with everybody being told their the same.
Business profits hugely on bigger things, bigger stocks, bigger sales, bigger profits, however in this fast sale, fast lifestyle mode of living is their ever any time for people to care about every individual person they pass? And to a degree why should they? However the only way i see that we can establish community again is in small circumstances and groups. And however nieve as this may sound, but to actually start caring again on human levels to each and every person. Why again some may ask?
Why not I argue, however if that is truly your view that there is no need to view each and every person on a human level, and not a statistic, then I would argue you wouldn't care about community at all.
Stay Golden.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Selflessness
I am pretty sure I've stated before my believe in cause and reaction and how everything is intwined in some way, however obscure it may be. And recently I've been wondering if there really is such a thing as a truly selfless act.
Now what is meant by a selfless act. According to wikipedia it is the sacrifice of ones own interests for the greater good.
But surely the greater good is in everyone interest. As a race we are genetically programmed to preserve the race at any cost, therefore any act we do is purely for our own interest however subconscious it be.
Lets take an extreme example, you want to buy a cake but on your way you see a child about to get hit by a car, you know the cake will be sold out if you help the child. Of course the child would be anyones top priority. But is that only because we are told that is right.
Basic animal kingdom rule of survival of the fittest, a young can't fed for themselves of course you are going to leave them be and get food.
Where does selflessness come into play with our race that has clearly been distinctively growing in attribute to situations, eg determination to strive for better things to always be the better thing. Are such attributes such things just part of us that wish to carry on and a grit to succeed. Are they purely from our animal ancestors, it may seem so.
But if so where does selflessness come from unless it isn't selfless but an act which along with compassion somewhat flaws the rule. Which means we have gone through an emotional evolution, and if so how did this happen. Or selflessness has some sort of survival trick behind it.
Is there such thing as being nice for the sake of being nice or do again the unknown chemicals that make us do everyday things passing messages that we, along with the world take to mean something however our animal brains behind us have darker more selfish intentions.
Now what is meant by a selfless act. According to wikipedia it is the sacrifice of ones own interests for the greater good.
But surely the greater good is in everyone interest. As a race we are genetically programmed to preserve the race at any cost, therefore any act we do is purely for our own interest however subconscious it be.
Lets take an extreme example, you want to buy a cake but on your way you see a child about to get hit by a car, you know the cake will be sold out if you help the child. Of course the child would be anyones top priority. But is that only because we are told that is right.
Basic animal kingdom rule of survival of the fittest, a young can't fed for themselves of course you are going to leave them be and get food.
Where does selflessness come into play with our race that has clearly been distinctively growing in attribute to situations, eg determination to strive for better things to always be the better thing. Are such attributes such things just part of us that wish to carry on and a grit to succeed. Are they purely from our animal ancestors, it may seem so.
But if so where does selflessness come from unless it isn't selfless but an act which along with compassion somewhat flaws the rule. Which means we have gone through an emotional evolution, and if so how did this happen. Or selflessness has some sort of survival trick behind it.
Is there such thing as being nice for the sake of being nice or do again the unknown chemicals that make us do everyday things passing messages that we, along with the world take to mean something however our animal brains behind us have darker more selfish intentions.
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