Tuesday, May 11, 2010

What we do to each other (#466)

It seems that we have tendencies to help each other and also hurt each other. This is based upon on our natures and our societal expectations. I have propounded the theory that we have within us two main instincts, compassion and curiosity. With a third nature of survival that is in both the others. While I recognize these traits as the dominant of ourselves I also state that the denial of these two plus survival, allow us to experience the manifestations of lesser and debasing instincts. All of this so that I can explain why we tend to harm each other in ways that are legal, illegal and certainly immoral. Our society provokes us to compete with each other over limited resources, in a sort of survival of the cleverest mode. Being ingenious in accomplishing is to be lauded, however winning at all costs is to be shunned. Our society allows us too many opportunities to manipulate and deceive each other with impunity. I welcome competition as impetus and motivation to try but not to exclude. Our fundamental thinking that competition is a personal value is not where it needs to be. Competition is a tool not a virtue. Life is greater than any rule we would choose to define it. Respect of life is our goal. Advancing progressive ideals is important and should always continue but when it pits us against each other with the "loser" held in less regard is selfish. All of life needs to advance together. We are all in this together and I say to everyone, by what standard of judgement does anyone think they are more valued than another?

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