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Politics : Evolution -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: GPS Info who wrote (42072)	9/22/2013 9:19:30 PM
From: Solon	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 69300

The fact that you have not been overly dogmatic constrains my response. I am watching a movie AND playing poker, so this wee missive will be over time. "as a tribe there is actual blood, bone, heart and mind of the members within" Yes. Of course. And we can speak to the members with precision. The actual tribe has broad qualities. Perhaps they are all green? Perhaps they speak a common language? I read down and find some good references to "Duty". But let my point be clear. When I speak of having no "duties", I do so from the perspective of a Free Thinker. I act out of values. When (or if) my values concord with some authority, it could (by an outsider) be interpreted as obeisance to authority--or DUTY. And I can certainly make the choice to obey. But the fact that I DO choose to act in my own self interest (even if such be obedience to a tyrant) shows that I am acting with Free Will and Reason. "Duty" is a word for Priests, Governments, and other USERS. "Duties" implies an imposed obeisance to authority without the choice to abstain. The reason that I have no "Duties" is simply because I SAY SO. Every thing I do, I do out of self interest. Sometimes that allows some ass to claim I did my "DUTY\| "we have too many examples in the news of people who seem not to reason through their actions" They are not apes. They always have a reason. If they didn't have a reason we could not prosecute them. "So what are the societal support systems for good reasoning?" I don't think this is a job for me (society). I am really busy. We have schools. I pay my share and I expect results. The rest of your post seems well thought out. I am too tired to split hairs.

To: GPS Info who wrote (42072)	9/23/2013 9:37:02 AM
From: Solon	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 69300

"if rational selfishness implies aiding the larger society to improve my quality of life, then yes, absolutely be rationally selfish." Can I hire you to write my lines and my speeches!? "I may need to leave the tribe to mate with unrelated females" You realize that you used the plural tense, right?! ;-) "I want to suggest that the idea of duty has some adaptive value to a tribe and this 'sense' or instinct of duty also has value in a modern society" Is that why our wars are fought by kids barely old enough to drink? How far is it between the "duty" to bring a lamb's shoulder to Aaron and his family--and the "duty" to die for Aaron?? I like your posts. You are an honest person (a rarity around here!). I say that sincerely. Why would a RATIONAL individual ever DIE for the group?? Dead is dead. Those ants you sprayed are not coming back...