Solon: CHILL! <g>
While you were away bowling or whatever, Neocon and I picked up the discussion you and he were having and agreed on the following (text from Neo's posts):
Our shared vision of society. The main idea is that we respect ourselves through respecting others, and that we fulfill ourselves within the context of an articulated society, thus having a stake in those rules which tend to lead to social order and development.
Regarding claims/obligations. I am happy enough to say that at this level of moral grounding, there is not an obligation to participate, rather, there is a stake, a strong motive. However, once conceding the stake, there are rules which one must generally follow both to uphold human dignity and to contribute and profit from society. It is those that I refer to as duties or obligations, although they admit of exceptions depending upon exigent circumstances. They are necessitated by the stakes we have already acknowledged.
The rules: Most people understand the gist of the term common decency. The essence of it is to treat people with respect, or, as the saying goes, do unto others as you would have them do unto you........
In summary, Neo and I agreed, as I understood it, on the above general vision of society. That gives both of us a stake in the outcome, so we voluntarily agree to follow certain rules required to effect that society. Once we so agree, we have a claim on each other with regard to the rules. Someone else may not share that vision so he doesn't have a stake in it so we have no claim on him. (This is about rules of morality above and beyond what is required by law. We're all obligated to follow the law whether we buy in or not.)
When you and Neo picked up the discussion again, it looked like he was once again exerting his claim on you even though you were not a party to our agreement, had not signed off on our vision, had not acknowledged your stake, or agreed to our rules. So I questioned him about whether he was backtracking or if I had misunderstood our agreement or what.
To the extent that I know you, I think that you would buy into our general view of society, acknowledge your stake in it, and agree with the rules. But until you affirmatively do that, I don't think he has any claim on you.
Karen |
