is there no virtue without those things? is your definition of virtue that simple and narrow? if it is, misanthropy can be a very easy (or maybe lazy) state of being
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"i have also heard argued that even what is perceived widely as altruism cannot be, due to its benefit to the giver (psychic, emotional, or otherwise). if that is true, your view is truly devoid of hope for virtue."
That's more-or-less my view. I don't think humans have to have virtue in order to be valuable, however.
And I am familiar with the argument that (rational) self-interest can hypothetically be good for the whole. I just... don't value it. I don't even see any evidence that it could be true. In any case, I'd rather burn the world down than concede that as a worthwhile compromise.
"are you not simply contributing to the general evil?"
This is inevitable, and I quite readily acknowledge that one of my more significant flaws is my general disdain for compromise, and how readily that allows me to abandon my fellow man. I despair for myself as well as humanity. This is much of why I am damned.
"should you not attempt to balance it in the favor of beauty and good?"
as one who values things which by your own account may not exist in the world, why not strive to create them? i might have said "strive to embody them", but given your views, that sounds a little silly. still, creating them within yourself would be creating them nonetheless.
aspire to virtue. aspire to love, trust, embrace, and teach your fellow Man the virtues you extol. perhaps, embrace the evil within yourself as a part of the whole and attempt to render it wan. become a saint.
pray for humanity - that the evil be less present.
any course of action to attempt to increase the good and beauty in the world will likely be difficult, but resigning to evil is resigning yourself to it, as well.
to be honest, i wasnt ready for that kind of question, but i hope my answer is somewhat satisfactory, though i know you may have severe doubts about it.
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That's more-or-less my view.
I don't think humans have to have virtue in order to be valuable, however.
And I am familiar with the argument that (rational) self-interest can hypothetically be good for the whole. I just... don't value it. I don't even see any evidence that it could be true. In any case, I'd rather burn the world down than concede that as a worthwhile compromise.
"are you not simply contributing to the general evil?"
This is inevitable, and I quite readily acknowledge that one of my more significant flaws is my general disdain for compromise, and how readily that allows me to abandon my fellow man.
I despair for myself as well as humanity. This is much of why I am damned.
"should you not attempt to balance it in the favor of beauty and good?"
How, exactly?
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aspire to virtue. aspire to love, trust, embrace, and teach your fellow Man the virtues you extol. perhaps, embrace the evil within yourself as a part of the whole and attempt to render it wan. become a saint.
pray for humanity - that the evil be less present.
any course of action to attempt to increase the good and beauty in the world will likely be difficult, but resigning to evil is resigning yourself to it, as well.
to be honest, i wasnt ready for that kind of question, but i hope my answer is somewhat satisfactory, though i know you may have severe doubts about it.
Reply
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