The best it's ever been

[wushi]

Yesterday I was thinking about the idea that people do the best they can. It's a general observation that encourages us to not get mad or fed up with others, even when they seem petty, small minded, or uninterested. On some level people make the best decisions they are capable of. Not that they don't see a "better" alternative, but on some level

Comments

[wushi]

Two distinct points there...

The first is that people are inherently good, or strive to be so. While I agree that not everyone is "good" by some arbitrary definition of good, from each person's perspective they are doing the best they can for themselves. Some people believe that doing the best they can for others is the same thing, others do not. In the end, each person has a personal (usually internal) narrative that assures them that what they did was right and justifiable.

The second is the idea that choices seem to fail to change the inevitability of a thing. This is, unfortunately, the case sometimes. Particularly in the face of the actions of multiple other people, or when one is trying to work against the extreme stubbornness of others. Still, the best choice is to do what you think is best, and the reasoning is actually unfortunately selfish. It's a matter of self identity. You define yourself by the choices you make. If you fail to define yourself by what you think is best, then what you think is best will gradually change. So, when that one choice that could change everything comes along, you might not take it if you haven't taken a lot of other supporting actions.

[labgoddess]

I miss talking to you. You always seem to have intersting things to say.
I do agree with your points. It just makes me sad when you do what you think is best and in the end, it changed nothing. The choice keeps with your own selfish need to do what you think is right at the time, but doesn't achieve the desired result. It it worth the time and energy if it's just to make you feel better and no actual change is achieved?

[wushi]

Yes, it does matter.
I think the problem is a focus on external events. The choice you make does not appreciably change the result externally, but the act of choosing does change you. If you decide instead to accept this thing, though you disagree with it, you make a different choice, and are made into a different person. So, while you desire a specific external result which is not brought about by your actions, you do obtain an internal result which should be seen as no less important. Indeed, some might argue that it is of far greater consequence than the external result that was sought.