|
|
|
|
trishran
Skeptic Friend
USA
196 Posts |
 Posted - 06/29/2005 : 21:12:08
|
Here's something that has me totally baffled. The public discourse seems to be trending towards not only an unwillingness to help other people, on the excuse that help prevents people being self-sufficient, but actually being suspicious that even an instance of help is so corrosive to the person's initiative that they will not only stop having any sort of ambition, but could be thrust onto a course of degeneration that can descend endlessly.
In addition, there is such suspicion of pleasure for its own sake - not enjoying the outdoors or exercise or sports for the joy of it, but as part of a "healthy lifestyle". Even more suspect is catching someone who has been helped in any way having pleasure. [For example, a friend getting grief in the checkout line for buying ingredients for chocolate chip cookies, instead of "healthier choices" with her foodstamps.]
Oh, well, steaks are ready.....
|
trish |
|
|
woolytoad
Skeptic Friend
313 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2005 : 02:24:49 [Permalink]
|
quote:
In addition, there is such suspicion of pleasure for its own sake
Well it goes both ways. Never trust someone who won't eat chocolate ship cookies :-) But I admit that I am guilty of exercising not because I enjoy it, but just to keep fit. Otherwise I'd feel guilty after eating all those cookies! :-D |
 |
|
|
filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2005 : 02:56:20 [Permalink]
|
My disability check comes in at the end of each month. I don't feel in the least guilty when I spend a bit of it on a little cheap whiskey. Nor do I worry about the morals of the recipient when I donate a little to one charity or another.
The public discourse is, as it often is, full of shit.
 |
"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
|
|
|
|
Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 06/30/2005 : 06:33:08 [Permalink]
|
quote:
Originally posted by trishran
Here's something that has me totally baffled. The public discourse seems to be trending towards not only an unwillingness to help other people, on the excuse that help prevents people being self-sufficient, but actually being suspicious that even an instance of help is so corrosive to the person's initiative that they will not only stop having any sort of ambition, but could be thrust onto a course of degeneration that can descend endlessly.
In addition, there is such suspicion of pleasure for its own sake - not enjoying the outdoors or exercise or sports for the joy of it, but as part of a "healthy lifestyle". Even more suspect is catching someone who has been helped in any way having pleasure. [For example, a friend getting grief in the checkout line for buying ingredients for chocolate chip cookies, instead of "healthier choices" with her foodstamps.]
Oh, well, steaks are ready.....
Some people need to judge others to make themselves feel superior. And some others need to justify greed by claiming that helping others degrades the recipient.
While I refuse to give money to people begging for it on the street, I do donate to homeless shelters and food banks. It's an ethical balance I had to strike between the tenets of my religion and aiding the indigent. |
Cthulhu/Asmodeus when you're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils
Brother Cutlass of Reasoned Discussion |
|
|
|
trishran
Skeptic Friend
USA
196 Posts |
Posted - 07/01/2005 : 13:19:51 [Permalink]
|
Well it goes both ways. Never trust someone who won't eat chocolate ship cookies :-) But I admit that I am guilty of exercising not because I enjoy it, but just to keep fit. Otherwise I'd feel guilty after eating all those cookies! :-D
I don't think one should never exercize for one's health, just that it seems like our civilization has forgotten that one can be physically active for the sheer joy of it, as if the joy in insufficient and one must have a health motive as well. |
trish |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Topic Locked
