Time for philisophical epiphanies, eh?

Jan 18, 2004 21:34

Well, my journal is now more or less set up, and it is time for pondering, writing, philosophy, and more pondering. In other words, wasting time and getting depressed. Well, what else is free time for anyway? Actually, I do have a philosophical gem for all you folks out there. After reading a friends list about the buffy board discussion of Ayn ( Read more... )

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angeyja January 19 2004, 14:14:10 UTC
hey graffitti, thanks for the link.

I have a question or two to offer for your consideration. If what you say above is true, meaning it stems from basic emotions (i.e.the need for self-preservation or self-interest/personal gain) because early on we found that being nice to someone else meant they were nice back...Then of course we became much more advanced technologically, and therefore had more time to think and become more educated/philosophical, and empathy became a concept why does it have importance to us today? ie what is it's current value or alternatively do you think it really does has value ( ... )

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graffitiswall January 19 2004, 17:47:45 UTC
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why does it have importance to us today? ie what is it's current value or alternatively do you think it really does has value?
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Our society really is based on empathy. Do unto others as you would like done unto yourself right? You can't get friends or jobs if you're a dity snake who obviously cares about no one but themselves.

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And how is it passed along? ie on an individual level does a person choose to become more empathetic? Or is empathy thrust upon us? (I'm thinking here of Steven Pinker's statement about peer groups and how people shift into roles because they are needed within the group.) Or do you think that some people are born more empathetic than others?
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We are taught it as a kid. You shouldn't hit people because they hit back. It's a basic principle. People are not really born more empathetic, they are born naked and screaming. It all depends on how they were raised.

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angeyja January 19 2004, 20:02:18 UTC
(A)why does it have importance to us today? ie what is it's current value or alternatively do you think it really does has value?
(G)Our society really is based on empathy.

Do unto others as you would like done unto yourself right?

Well, I definitely agree with that! I don't know if I can see that our society is based in empathy though? Think we might have to start by defining somethings if we're going to put that forth as a statement and then support it... When you say society are you thinking of all America?

You can't get friends or jobs if you're a dity snake who obviously cares about no one but themselves.

Well, for jobs, that leads to another question about whether we value empathy more than performance? Wouldn't that depend on the job? If you look at being in school as a job (which it is, a big one) which do you think is valued more?

I think the friends issue might be a bit more complicated too. So I'm going to leave that aside for now, if that's OK.

(A)And how is it passed along? ie on an individual level does ( ... )

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graffitiswall January 19 2004, 17:50:13 UTC
--QUOTE--
And a little off topic, another friend of mine has recommended evanescence to me. I see that you like them too. What are they like?
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They are pretty good. They have good music, kinda dark, but still good. Really the best part is the lead singer's voice.

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angeyja January 19 2004, 19:31:35 UTC
Well, since I like Buffy and Angel I can't say I don't like a little darkness sometimes. I may take a listen then. Thanks for the info.

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They had a concert here in Auckland last week.. angels_nibblet January 19 2004, 23:50:12 UTC
kinda wish I'd gone now, but lacking in the dosh. My cousin and my best friend and various other people went, and they'd definitely recommend them.

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