Posted: Dec 15, 2015 10:48 am
Cito di Pense wrote:
What's with this switch to 'good' and 'harm'? You can always try to sound clever by referring to stuff you like as 'good' and stuff you don't like as 'harm'. If you already know something is a 'construct', then maybe 'good' and 'harm' are also constructs when referring to it. Different strokes for different folks, and all.
Of course you are right. My fault for not being clear enough. But again, I have nothing against constructs on the contrary. My problem is with how we create and maintain most of them. 'good' and 'harm' in this context is related to how I feel about such things (bio-chemically). This may or may not be how you feel about it I am well aware, but in the end we are all on this planet together so there needs to be some sort of medium that is 'good' for all. If this means different constructs for different people than that is so. Is is easy to say "I can live with it, if you cannot than that is your problem." If that is the baseline, why bother with society at all?
Cito di Pense wrote:
You and Andrew4Handel should get together and compare notes on how grim life is in, you know, reality.
I think it was John Scalzi who said: "There's a difference between the fact that the universe is inherently unfair on a cosmic level, and the fact that life is unfair because people are actively making it so."
surreptitious57 wrote:
I am sorry to hear that you have social anxiety. We have some members here who have it too. Have you tried to take any steps to address it ?
I have been (and still am) in therapy and using medication for the better part of my life. It doesn't seem to help one bit. I have learnt to live with it. Surroundings/Environment is a factor and I seem to be unable to feel in control of that. No doubt a big reason for the way I look at things.
surreptitious57 wrote:
Now what determines how happy you are is your actual state of mind not your world view though the
two can be linked just not absolutely so. You can have two people with the same world view where one is happy and one
is unhappy. Conversely you can have two people with opposing world views where either both are happy or unhappy. And
as you can see individual happiness is not necessarily compatible with a particular world view since that is quite arbitrary
Yes. which is where I find it difficult to rely on logic, rationality and reason. It seems you need 'blind belief' or 'faith' to be able to make such a mental jump? That is what makes it difficult (for me).
When we consider 'survival of the fittest'. I honestly think I just do not 'fit' in society. I feel I am just surviving and I find it hard to accept that is all there is for me. Perhaps that is selfish? Don't get me wrong, I am perfectly aware and capable of empathy for those far far worse off than me. I am unfit to deal with it emotionally I guess.
EDIT: (added later) I suspect this stems from my inability to grasp 'competition'. I never felt the need to win or be better etc. I just want to 'understand'. If I have any drive, it would be that.
surreptitious57 wrote:
Finally may I welcome you to the forum ...
Thank you. I'll try to stick around.