Quote Originally Posted by delusionsofNORMALity
you leave me a bit confused here (as does most of humanity, i have to admit). i thought i had made it quite clear that the question was not whether the individual should put the welfare of others ahead of his own, but whether he should be allowed to make that decision on his own. we seem to have reached a point where many people believe that compassion and empathy should be legislated into existence, :lol5:
we all know that there are many folks out there that just aren't capable of seeing the world that way and many more whose resentment at being coerced will drive them from what would otherwise be a natural inclination. being "nice" to each other is really the only way that a society can hope to survive more than a few hundred years without collapsing under the weight of its own disgust.

It's not that hard to do.
Comes naturally, if allowed.
I think that is because caring for each other is in everyone's rational self interest.
Lot less work than carryin' grudges, yah?

as for the pond i've been sampling from, it is large and varied. some of the most intelligent people i've ever met have been incredibly ignorant, being too focused on the minutiae to even realize the philosophy behind their ideals, and true individuality is so out of style that many believe themselves to be unique though they are merely mimicking the latest trends.
In truth, each is unique, just, probably not in the way they imagine.

I can see you've given this some thought.
So, let me get serious for a moment.

I had to vote other because I did understand the question.

He is "allowed" to choose, that "allows" himself to choose.
Or, more simply.
Most non-physical limits are self-imposed.

And, I fear that our tribal mind is no longer rational enough to be trusted.
So self determination is just NOT a yupnup.
There are as many degrees of "freedom" as there are definitions.

OK, nuff o dat.
Gonna put my back on.

Just my random thoughts.
I'm not actually advocating anything at all, y'all.

Though I do recommend more love.

:stoned: Wee Zard
Weezard Reviewed by Weezard on . are we to be free? with all the talk of socialism in america and the growing governmental control over our relatively free marketplace, i feel the need to ask those of you on these boards a rather basic question. is the individual an important component of american political philosophy or is the will of the people of paramount concern? this country has always led the world in its pursuit of the rights of the individual, understanding that the price we pay for those rights is a tumultuous life at best. as Rating: 5