Human Tragi-Comedy
| "A philosopher sees the earth as a large planet traveling through the heavens, covered with fools." Bernard le Bouvier de Fonteville |
| The Sins PRIDE ENVY ANGER GREED GLUTTONY LUST SLOTH |
| The Virtues FAITH HOPE CHARITY FORTITUDE JUSTICE TEMPERANCE PRUDENCE |
| The Reality of the Nature of Humans In each of the above there are extremes, but all of nature generally distributes itself in the form popularly known as a bell curve. It is true as well with the human condition. On the other hand, humans tend naturally, as all animals, toward self interest and self preservation; it is the natural way. And when they are threatened it is reasonable to assume that the distribution will be skewed. But there are many things that can skew distribution. Man is susceptible to temptation as well as the influence of his fellow humans. Good people can be moved to do bad things; bad people can change - not all, but some. Propaganda is known to be effective in influencing man, and ignorance makes the influence more possible than it would be with knowledge and understanding. Fear and emotion are also a powerful motivators. Circumstances - the situation - can alter distribution. |
Bernard le Bouvie de Fonteville, however, had a point.
It doesn't take much for humans to make fools of
themselves; it takes more to cause them to act nobley.
We are exposed to much more of the former than the
latter because it is more sensational, and some of our
foibles are in fact quite spectacular.
It doesn't take much for humans to make fools of
themselves; it takes more to cause them to act nobley.
We are exposed to much more of the former than the
latter because it is more sensational, and some of our
foibles are in fact quite spectacular.
There is something about power, fame or
fortune that causes most men to think
themselves very special; it goes to their
heads. Ancient pyramids are an example of
pride that turned to arrogance and hubris.
Today they are spread more broadly, and if
celebrated a bit less ostentatiously, they are
nonetheless celebrated.
fortune that causes most men to think
themselves very special; it goes to their
heads. Ancient pyramids are an example of
pride that turned to arrogance and hubris.
Today they are spread more broadly, and if
celebrated a bit less ostentatiously, they are
nonetheless celebrated.
Nor has the hubris of fame or power diminished much; surely it is alive and well.
No matter the form it takes the highest reaches of power/fame are the prerogative of an
elite; whether derived from birth, wealth, usurpation, or acclamation, its ranks are
restrictive. And when power/fame increases it becomes difficult for many to handle - and
those so afflicted are loath to give it up, and are apt to abuse it, now as in the past.
No matter the form it takes the highest reaches of power/fame are the prerogative of an
elite; whether derived from birth, wealth, usurpation, or acclamation, its ranks are
restrictive. And when power/fame increases it becomes difficult for many to handle - and
those so afflicted are loath to give it up, and are apt to abuse it, now as in the past.
Lest it be overlooked, however, there is also
power for good and as we despise the
excesses on the one hand we must admire
the sacrifices on the other. On this other side
there are examples that awe.
power for good and as we despise the
excesses on the one hand we must admire
the sacrifices on the other. On this other side
there are examples that awe.
There are also lesser examples, however;
day-to-day examples of people who help
others, share, and give of themselves - some
for notoriety, some for advantage, but many
just because that is the way they are - and
know they should, and want to be. They,
also, should be recognized by us and
appreciated.
day-to-day examples of people who help
others, share, and give of themselves - some
for notoriety, some for advantage, but many
just because that is the way they are - and
know they should, and want to be. They,
also, should be recognized by us and
appreciated.
| Distribution And how do all these distribute? In a normal distribution, of course. There are extremes at both ends. But most of us lie somewhere in between these extremes, a little - or a little more than a little - one way to the other of the mean. Kind of. sort of. in the middle . |
| Terrorism There is a special malignancy in our world, however; I shall call it terrorism, but it goes by many names and derives from the worst of the seven sins: greed for power, anger, envy and an excess of pride (hubris), as well as intolerance. It is medieval in origin, brutal and merciless in nature, and hopeless in execution. It deserves a special place in our consideration of human nature. |
| Living Our Own Lives For most of us life from day to day is much less heroic than that of those on the extremes of our society - or culture, but the challenges, temptations, enticements and pressures are similar - if less earth shattering. How we address them is largely within our power. What are we doing about that? Most of us lack the capability to influence our societies, our culture, heroically, but we can influence them nonetheless - a little at a time - with continual effort. Some personal thoughts on the matter for consideration: Increase knowledge and empathy (the large empathy) - continually Think about, and care about others particularly when they attempt to do for themselves, and only need assistance, not a state of subsistence Be honest and sincere - first to self, then to others Take care of self and don't expect others to do for us Live within our means Preserve principles, but avoid imposing them on others Try to understand where others are coming from (the small empathy) Share - but carefully - enabling the conscious users is not productive Avoid vanity and ostentation Be respectful Expect from others, else we insult their dignity Speak thoughtfully and deliberately Avoid unnecessary confrontation Surrender not to fantasy - understand reality - and keep an open mind Judge not? I would say judge carefully; discrimination is the means by which we separate that which is good an desirable from that which is not Avoid acting the fool - be different Pay attention, but believe selectively - very selectively |
Surely there are more, and i shall add to
these as they occur to me. Would they could
be a constant reminder to do as we know we
should do. Give us strength of conviction.
these as they occur to me. Would they could
be a constant reminder to do as we know we
should do. Give us strength of conviction.
"Hollywood, the most
powerful de facto
propaganda agency in
human history."
Jonah Goldberg,
Liberal Fascism
powerful de facto
propaganda agency in
human history."
Jonah Goldberg,
Liberal Fascism
Oh, and in the process pretend
that we - and life - are rational.
that we - and life - are rational.