Let's Be Personal
2001-09-12 22:50:09+00 by
Dan Lyke
4 comments
Before yesterday's events I've been pondering what it means to give. I repeat with pride that my Dad once referred to my ethical structure as "right wing asshole", yet this year I've offered thousands of dollars and too many hours to total up to help friends and acquaintances in need, and reconciling these aspects of my philosophies doesn't come easily. In light of yesterday's events, a little unbridled patriotism seems in order, Mike and Eric dug up Gordon Sinclair's Let's Be Personal, a Canadian perspective on America, at least as things sat 25 years ago.
[ related topics:
Politics Ethics Current Events WTC/Pentagon attacks
]
comments in ascending chronological order (reverse):
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:41+00 by:
ziffle
"yet this year I've offered thousands of dollars and too many hours to total up to help friends and acquaintances in need, and reconciling these aspects of my philosophies doesn't come easily."
From an Objectivist perspective, its easy. You help those you value. The Christian (now every Christian will say - no our Christianity is not like that -but it is..) view is help those without regard for their value - the more worthless the better. If you value those people - help them - its part of being human. But would you send money to the terrorists? Especially (I love that word) if you were not secure? No. Why? -- the answer is simple then. We (ought)to respond to values. Find those who's values are right on and help them - its fun!
Now about your Dom - did you ever find your shoes? <g>
"Faith and Force - the destroyers of modern civilzation" Talk given by Ayn Rand in 1961. Fits this weeks events, doesn't it?
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:41+00 by:
Dori
Being a (lower-case-l) libertarian who's donated a ridiculous amount of
time, money, and goods to an assortment of causes over the years, I've
puzzled this one out myself.
I finally decided that it came down to believing in karma.
If you do, donating your time and money is a selfish act. No, it doesn't
have to be solely selfish, but you know that you're going to get
something back from your contributions, eventually.
Dori
Backup Brain
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:42+00 by:
ebradway
For me it's been a combination of karma and a sense that I have alot more than I need.
#Comment made: 2002-02-21 05:32:43+00 by:
meuon
It what to give to where... the Red Cross? Hmmmph.
More Taxes? We'll all get to pay them anyway.
I've spent the last few days donated some time,
bandwidth and expertise to ISP and Telco's affected.
I was also just berated for donating stuff instead of
raping the people with extra charges.
I think it comes down to doing what we can, where we can
and how we can. Sure, it helps your "karma", but it
has more to do with supporting the society you are part of.
The "Karma" of our society, culture and nation needs our help.