Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Sharks in the Septic Tank -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (60090)	9/27/2002 3:58:00 PM
From: The Philosopher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

Yes, there is a point of view which says that societies gradually move toward better moralities and social values. But I have my doubts. I look at some of the moral standards our society has today, and I think some of them are regressions, not advances. <iu> some "value systems" are superior to others, namely, those associated with societies which make life for most people more humane and productive. Productivity is not, IMO, a good way to judge whether a value system is superior. Of course, in order to judge whether a value system is superior, we have to have a value system for judging value systems. And we have to decide then which value system for judging value systems is superior. But then, of course, we have to have a value system for judging which value system for judging value systems is superior . . . All value systems are compromises. The classical Greek compromise was between family and state -- the dichotomy which, for example, Sophocles' Antigone (on which I wrote my senior theis) was based. Go too far in either direction, and you move toward chaos. Our society tends, I think, to be more concerned with the balance between freedom and responsibility. There are other dichotomies which can define the questions a society considers most important. But all value systems are inherently compromises. it is desirable, for the ultimate good of the planet, that there be a move towards modernization and the liberal civilization of which we are a part, with all deliberate speed, Modernization certainly brings material improvements in life. Whether it also brings moral and spiritual improvements is, IMO, highly debatable. If comfort and convenience are to be deemed the highest goals of human beings, you are right that it is good to pursue modernization relentlessly. But this is not necessarily a given. There are increasing numbers of people recognizing that going back to nature, or going to spiritual retreats in places which lack certain modern conveniences, are of great value.

To: Neocon who wrote (60090)	9/27/2002 4:22:08 PM
From: one_less	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 82486

"As societies improve, their morals improve, both as a reflection of the values that underwrite a successful society, and through actual insight gained in the course of philosophical reflection 1) It doesn't appear that you allowed for the "U" shaped curve of decay that has imposed itself on successful societies throughout history. I would like to think that our society would will be different BTW. 2) Do you see moral progress as synonymous with moral objectivity when the goals with underlying values are directive? Can you clarify a bit more? 3) "However, it is desirable, for the ultimate good of the planet, that there be a move towards modernization and the liberal civilization of which we are a part, with all deliberate speed, and so we should not get overly sentimental about picturesque cultures or cultural equivalence......... Not necessarily....