Let me try to reply here step by step. It was a cached thought in a sense of what I think you are saying, which is why I added it to my own shortform—I thought, as an idea, as it’s hard for me to keep track of my ideas. What I meant was evil as an ideology, or as an entity in a way. We would have no idea what good was if there was no opposite end of the spectrum. Evil exists, and in that sense it helps to understand “what is good” ? Maybe I am not wording it correctly. If there were only good, how would you even know what was “good” or “evil” ? Do you get what I am trying to say? And as unfortunate as some things like war can be, they do a lot of the time lead to progress. One of the hardest parts about war or evil is also trying to tread the boundaries of ethics. The US for instance kills innocent people all the time in the name of the greater good. Kids die, innocent people die, and we write it off as ” for the greater good” . But rationally evil—like taking a life, even if for a just cause , allows for good. The taking of any life is evil in a sense, but has allowed for good historically as weird as that sounds. It’s the whole notion of war. Furthermore, I see AI being discussed here often and rationally if you’re going to create a true AI, evil and good will come up often, and how would you even begin to develop true AI without explaining the spectrum of good and evil? They exist only because of one another. I am actually pretty certain my original post was me paraphrasing something I was listening to of Lex Fridman or Eric Weinstein. Pain causes revolutions! Evil has lead to good in many roundabout ways. I will find the whole part if I can.… If it was up to me “evil” would not exist at all, but it does exist, and it exists only because we have a spectrum. YING and YANG. Maybe this is why some people find it hard to believe in GOD, because its like why does evil exist at all? You can only appreciate the good because of the evil.
Khanivore
I will elaborate on this later, but the social sciences have so so so many variables to consider. Our whole idea of social science is based on human social interaction and good luck understanding even the person next to you , or your partner let alone the other 7-8 billion people. Social science is hard. It’s not as black and white as some other sciences are seemingly. It’s a how could you possibly understand scenario...
Look at all the good Bill Gates does that I think is effective altruism and he gets vilified . It’s a weird thing. I remember watching a patriot act episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS9CFBlLOcg
I imagine most good deeds or true altruism takes place on non-measurable scales. It’s the thought that counts right? A smile goes a long way, how can you measure a smile, or positive energy. Whether you throw a dart or follow a non dart follow method, maybe the positive energy put out means something, especially now.
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Would philanthropy be better off it people just threw darts, or if they stuck to tried and true ways of giving? Is not even taking a gamble on a possible great outcome for the overall good a form of genuine altruism?
I just posted about this but is that not why the serenity prayer or saying is so popular? GOD aside whether you are a religious or God person or not the sentiment or logic of the saying holds true—God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. You should be allowed to ask yourself for that same courage. And I agree that most sources of unhappiness seems to be a violation of expectations. There are many things outside of ones controls and one should perhaps make their expectations logically based on that fact.
The gap in human intelligence and rational/critical thinking seems to be ever widening. Politics aside I find it interesting the drastic differences in human cognitive behavior. I wonder if compared to other animals that we consider intelligent if the spectrum is so large?
In reality it has to be a mixture right? So many parts of my day are absolutely in my control, at least small things for sure. Then there are obviously a ton of things that are 100% out of my control. I guess the goal is to figure out how to navigate the two and find some sort of serenity. After all isn’t that the old saying about serenity? I often think about what you have said as an addict. I personally don’t believe addiction to be a disease, my DOC is alcohol, and I don’t buy into the disease model of addiction. I think it is a choice and maybe a disorder of the brain and semantics on the word “disease”. But I can’t imagine walking into a cancer ward full of children and saying me too! People don’t just get to quit cancer cold turkey. I also understand like you’ve pointed out, and I reaffirmed that it is both. I have a predisposition to alcoholism because of genetics and it’s also something I am aware of and a choice. I thought I’d respond to your post since you were so kind as to reply to my stuff. I find this forum very interesting and I am not nearly as intelligent as most here but man it’s fun to bounce ideas!
I believe that a lot of what you have said is accurate but does not discount the original post. If realistically looked at, it is still a truth that money does buy more opportunities to find happiness. Whether its giving to others, or the ability to have more free time, etc. It does not mean you will find personal happiness. Nor does it mean that every person needs the $ at all. Over all its a mindset I guess, but if money was not an issue at all, and nobody knew about your wealth at all for instance wouldn’t half your concerns disappear? What if nobody was aware of your wealth?
We’re all in the same game, just different levels. Dealing with the same hell, just different devils.
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Intelligent people give the general population too much credit… and the general population is the biggest variable and also the most unpredictable.