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I spend a great deal of time and energy talking about contribution. Have you noticed? :) But, contributing can have the same rotten stink of any other "higher purpose." If I really don't believe in good/evil and right/wrong, then contributing to another has no greater or lesser value as killing them. It's all the same in the end.
I've travelled down this philosophical path before. Each time, though, I have shied off. Usually because of some fear or another about who I would be if I really thought killing was the same as gifting. Probably more like not wanting the idea on the planet that killing ME is the same as giving ME a present. :)
I do, though, believe that the universe has no intrinsic moral order. There isn't a right/wrong or good/evil among the stars. Just because it does not exist intrinsically, though, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We have only to look around to see that good and evil exist. Hell, we made up the words and the definitions to match behaviors we approve of and behaviors we don't approve of. That doesn't count all the exemptions we give ourselves so that we can do evil things in the name of goodness.
Nothing intrinsic about it. However, I have a strong preference about the world I live in. A very strong preference. Seen through my preference, killing is wrong and gifting is right. Neither one is right or wrong in and of themselves. But getting presents is a hell of lot nicer than getting killed (I think).
Today, then, I will not kill. Easy enough to make that promise. :)
Today I will gift, however. Even if nobody knows they are getting presents from me. I'm the game of Secret Santa all by myself.
I'm starting over in a way. As Fagin sang in Oliver, I'm reviewing the situation... I don't know who will come out of this, but it is not likely to be me. :) I've gotten stuck in my own version of right/wrong that of thinking it's wrong to think there is right/wrong. :)
I don't know where this is going. I have a strong feeling it is being motivated by a decision I've just noticed I've recently made. I've decided to be less generous. Far less generous. I know I've made the decision because I've stopped making excuses for others. I've stopped thinking that each "oddity" I observe is an aberration when it's really a pattern. I've stopped letting it be okay with me when I'm hurt or used.
It's going to alter many relationships. I wish I cared. Actually, no. I'm pretty damn happy that I don't care. It's part of the generosity that I'm dumping. It is that part of generosity that smells like a full septic tank on a hot day.
I'm glad it's on its way out.
If I'm so damn glad, why do I feel like I just kicked someone's puppy?
I've travelled down this philosophical path before. Each time, though, I have shied off. Usually because of some fear or another about who I would be if I really thought killing was the same as gifting. Probably more like not wanting the idea on the planet that killing ME is the same as giving ME a present. :)
I do, though, believe that the universe has no intrinsic moral order. There isn't a right/wrong or good/evil among the stars. Just because it does not exist intrinsically, though, doesn't mean it doesn't exist. We have only to look around to see that good and evil exist. Hell, we made up the words and the definitions to match behaviors we approve of and behaviors we don't approve of. That doesn't count all the exemptions we give ourselves so that we can do evil things in the name of goodness.
Nothing intrinsic about it. However, I have a strong preference about the world I live in. A very strong preference. Seen through my preference, killing is wrong and gifting is right. Neither one is right or wrong in and of themselves. But getting presents is a hell of lot nicer than getting killed (I think).
Today, then, I will not kill. Easy enough to make that promise. :)
Today I will gift, however. Even if nobody knows they are getting presents from me. I'm the game of Secret Santa all by myself.
I'm starting over in a way. As Fagin sang in Oliver, I'm reviewing the situation... I don't know who will come out of this, but it is not likely to be me. :) I've gotten stuck in my own version of right/wrong that of thinking it's wrong to think there is right/wrong. :)
I don't know where this is going. I have a strong feeling it is being motivated by a decision I've just noticed I've recently made. I've decided to be less generous. Far less generous. I know I've made the decision because I've stopped making excuses for others. I've stopped thinking that each "oddity" I observe is an aberration when it's really a pattern. I've stopped letting it be okay with me when I'm hurt or used.
It's going to alter many relationships. I wish I cared. Actually, no. I'm pretty damn happy that I don't care. It's part of the generosity that I'm dumping. It is that part of generosity that smells like a full septic tank on a hot day.
I'm glad it's on its way out.
If I'm so damn glad, why do I feel like I just kicked someone's puppy?
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Is this one of those "there are two distinct things named with one word" moments?
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My definitions of generosity and contribution have had a component that stinks. I'm dumping that part.
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If you distinguish it further, I shall be interested in reading it.
I quite like redefining and distinguishing some of the fuzzier elements of our language and our view of ourselves (for example, the discussion of Jealousy).