Re: Sources of Evil


Robert J. Kolker wrote:
> mcv wrote:
>
> > Robert J. Kolker <nowhere@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> >>mcv wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>So you're saying that greed is actually a good thing, and that the
> >>>medieval church was right to be greedy?
> >>
> >>One is allowed to be greedy with one's own money, not with other
> >>people's money.
> >>
> >>The idea that need in and of itself constitutes a rightful claim on the
> >>resources of others is an abomination.
> >
> >
> > It's not a matter of rightful claims, it's just that it's good to help
> > other people, and that nobody deserves to die just because they happen
> > to be born on the wrong side of the divide in a harsh country.
>
> Why is it good? One can find a practical good if there is a long term
> material gain to the giver that flows from his gift. So if help for the
> poor is regarded as an investment, rather than dues owed to the poor, it
> is conceivable that some such investments could pay the given reward
> defined in the givers terms. That would make helping the poor and
> manifestion of self interest, which is o.k. by me.
>
>
> >
> > As for tax and social security, some people manage to profit quite a
> > lot from the society they're born in (even if it's just because they
> > happen to have the right parents), while others suffer a lot from that
> > same society. It's only right that that society makes some sort of
> > attempt to rectify that situation.
>
> Have you ever read the legend (myth?) of Procrustes?
>
> Cut the long ones down to size and stretch the short ones up to size and
> we will all be mediocre together.
>
> The only ones I have a positive obligation to help and nurture are me,
> my wife and my children.

What does that mean, "positive obligation"? Isn't helping your wife and
children the same kind of choice as helping anyone else? Isn't even
having a wife and children to whom to be obliged a choice?

-tg




>Stangers I can help or not help as the
> situation dictates.
>
> If you want to bleed and suffer for the lamed, the maimed and the
> stupid, go right ahead, as long as it is YOUR blood you are shedding.
> Leave my blood alone.
>
> Bob Kolker

.

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