starrkers
Down two, then left
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- Nov 30, 2006
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Nope, you wouldn't even win that one. There's one other that even has a thread dedicated to ignoring him.
Born to Give
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Nope, you wouldn't even win that one. There's one other that even has a thread dedicated to ignoring him.
J
JAMESBJOHNSON
Guest
AMICUS
People do shit for all kinds of reasons, and most of the reasons are confabulated (first thing that pops into their minds). I suspect the truth is a whole lot closer to 'we dont have a clue why we do shit.' So my fable is: I strive to act when it satisfies me to act.
People do shit for all kinds of reasons, and most of the reasons are confabulated (first thing that pops into their minds). I suspect the truth is a whole lot closer to 'we dont have a clue why we do shit.' So my fable is: I strive to act when it satisfies me to act.
Roxanne Appleby
Masterpiece
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Skipped most of the posts, not jumping into any disputes, just wanted to add this perspective that I find interesting and convincing.
I think the following fits well with the evolutionary biology theorizing described in the article (and that's why I find this to be convincing):
'Benevolence, as defined by David Kelley in his book Unrugged Individualism is a “commitment to achieving the values derivable from life with other people in society, by treating them as potential trading partners, recognizing their humanity, independence and individuality, and the harmony between their interests and ours”. Benevolence is thus clearly rationally selfish. It is not a sacrifice of one’s interests to those of others. Rather it reaffirms a positive view of human beings and recognizes the potential of humans."
I think the following fits well with the evolutionary biology theorizing described in the article (and that's why I find this to be convincing):
'Benevolence, as defined by David Kelley in his book Unrugged Individualism is a “commitment to achieving the values derivable from life with other people in society, by treating them as potential trading partners, recognizing their humanity, independence and individuality, and the harmony between their interests and ours”. Benevolence is thus clearly rationally selfish. It is not a sacrifice of one’s interests to those of others. Rather it reaffirms a positive view of human beings and recognizes the potential of humans."
cantdog
Waybac machine
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- Apr 24, 2004
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Darwinian biology has a lot to say about ethics, actually, and more consistently than any religion.
One of the things we humans can do sets us apart into a very small group of species. We can override the programming. We may be inclined to engage in dominance contests with same-sex children, as soon as they come of age, but we can override the tendency and choose to treat them another way. The sight of an upturned ass may trigger a sexual response, but we are at liberty to suppress it for reasons of our own.
Similarly with impulses to generosity or service: many heartless decisions are taken every day, despite our inclination to support one another, and so often that the perpetrators can't possibly all be sociopaths. A member of the oil company bureaucracy which decides to arrange for a slaughter in Nigeria may feel a twinge, but he can harden his heart and avert his eyes. A man who sees the people ahead of him being shot can still choose to advance toward the front of the line, overriding much instinctual programming by choosing a courageous path.
This capacity of humans diminishes the importance of such theories. One may choose utter greed and ruthlessness, and still not be able to plead that one was a helpless slave to one's biology. Everyone on the jury knows full well that another choice could have been made, and that a different choice may well have been a more responsible one.
One of the things we humans can do sets us apart into a very small group of species. We can override the programming. We may be inclined to engage in dominance contests with same-sex children, as soon as they come of age, but we can override the tendency and choose to treat them another way. The sight of an upturned ass may trigger a sexual response, but we are at liberty to suppress it for reasons of our own.
Similarly with impulses to generosity or service: many heartless decisions are taken every day, despite our inclination to support one another, and so often that the perpetrators can't possibly all be sociopaths. A member of the oil company bureaucracy which decides to arrange for a slaughter in Nigeria may feel a twinge, but he can harden his heart and avert his eyes. A man who sees the people ahead of him being shot can still choose to advance toward the front of the line, overriding much instinctual programming by choosing a courageous path.
This capacity of humans diminishes the importance of such theories. One may choose utter greed and ruthlessness, and still not be able to plead that one was a helpless slave to one's biology. Everyone on the jury knows full well that another choice could have been made, and that a different choice may well have been a more responsible one.
rgraham666
Literotica Guru
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It is one of the more interesting and dichotomous tenets of all ideologues.
They claim endlessly that we are free. And in the next breath claim we have no choice, ideology overrides our free will.
I do wish they'd make up their minds.
They claim endlessly that we are free. And in the next breath claim we have no choice, ideology overrides our free will.
I do wish they'd make up their minds.
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