I am no existentialist concerning the issue of freedom of the will. They posit that the will is wholly and unconditionally free. I disagree. I have always maintained that we are puppets more than we are self-determining.
As a moderate, of course, I hold that being free-willing is a matter of degree. The more sluggish we are; the more bestial we are; the more asleep we are; the more groupist we are; the more sinful we are--these preconditions make our will largely other-determined.
The more rational we are; the more alert we are; the more individuated we are; the more distinct as persons that we are--these preconditions correspond to possessing a wielding a will that is largely free and self-determining.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Journal Entry: 1-21-2012
Good Altruism: The positive version of it: Do to others what you want them to do to you.
The negative version of it: Don't hurt others because that is not what you want them to do to you in retaliation.
Good Egoism: The positive version of it: Treat yourself well, as you plan also to treat others.
The negative version of it: Do not hurt yourself for that will lead you to desire to hurt others.
Evil Altruism: The positive version of it: You are hurting yourself as you hurt others.
The negative version of it: Don't treat yourself well and don't treat others well either.
Evil Egoism: The positive version of it: Abuse yourself as you intend to abuse others.
The negative version of it: Don't be kind to yourself as you intend to be unkind to others.
Good Altruism: The positive version of it: Do to others what you want them to do to you.
The negative version of it: Don't hurt others because that is not what you want them to do to you in retaliation.
Good Egoism: The positive version of it: Treat yourself well, as you plan also to treat others.
The negative version of it: Do not hurt yourself for that will lead you to desire to hurt others.
Evil Altruism: The positive version of it: You are hurting yourself as you hurt others.
The negative version of it: Don't treat yourself well and don't treat others well either.
Evil Egoism: The positive version of it: Abuse yourself as you intend to abuse others.
The negative version of it: Don't be kind to yourself as you intend to be unkind to others.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Dire
Journal entry: 1-21-2012
It is dire that the Golden rule has been around for millennium and yet ethical advancement does not seem to have moved forward at all. Why are people as cruel, treacherous, false and selfish as ever? First, not all people are predominantly that way, and usually, maybe not even a majority of people.
Human depravity, low self-esteem, traditional patterns of wrongdoing and the absence of the ethical science for individuals to be moderate and individuating have all worked against humanity.
Through these techniques Satan has held us down and back from progressing. Introducing the science of individual moral progress will make things change for the better.
The socialist advocates of our primitive science of altruistic, group ethics. He suggests being selfless and treating others as you have treated yourself. We have seen how poorly that works out in generation after generation, for most people typically mistreat themselves, so of course they mistreat those around them.
The egoist advises that we do unto others as we have done unto ourselves. By training ourselves to self-realize and be temperate, we are treating ourselves well. This healthy treatment will extend to how we treat those around us. So doing will bring us inner peace, self-esteem and hope for humanity.
It is dire that the Golden rule has been around for millennium and yet ethical advancement does not seem to have moved forward at all. Why are people as cruel, treacherous, false and selfish as ever? First, not all people are predominantly that way, and usually, maybe not even a majority of people.
Human depravity, low self-esteem, traditional patterns of wrongdoing and the absence of the ethical science for individuals to be moderate and individuating have all worked against humanity.
Through these techniques Satan has held us down and back from progressing. Introducing the science of individual moral progress will make things change for the better.
The socialist advocates of our primitive science of altruistic, group ethics. He suggests being selfless and treating others as you have treated yourself. We have seen how poorly that works out in generation after generation, for most people typically mistreat themselves, so of course they mistreat those around them.
The egoist advises that we do unto others as we have done unto ourselves. By training ourselves to self-realize and be temperate, we are treating ourselves well. This healthy treatment will extend to how we treat those around us. So doing will bring us inner peace, self-esteem and hope for humanity.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Assuming Civilized Roles
Journal Entry: 1-21-2012
Parents will most easily prevail at raising a generation of children/individuators by instilling in each growing child, a highly developed conscience to help them think and act in very civilized ways,
as they conduct their affairs in their self-governing adult years.
This thin but tough veneer of civilization, lying atop their bubbling, burbling set of Dionysian drives beneath the surface, would not be easily ripped away from them as was done to youths in previous generations. The improvement this time would be that they were brought up as individualists. They think for themselves. They are independent and very self-reliant. They are highly trained as willful ethicists. Persuading, corrupting or conning them will be very difficult to pull off.
I envision a generation of remarkable members (of which I am an early forerunner) doing amazing, noble deeds, devising brand-new ethical updates as they delve deeper into their productive, artful lives. It is very promising.
Parents will most easily prevail at raising a generation of children/individuators by instilling in each growing child, a highly developed conscience to help them think and act in very civilized ways,
as they conduct their affairs in their self-governing adult years.
This thin but tough veneer of civilization, lying atop their bubbling, burbling set of Dionysian drives beneath the surface, would not be easily ripped away from them as was done to youths in previous generations. The improvement this time would be that they were brought up as individualists. They think for themselves. They are independent and very self-reliant. They are highly trained as willful ethicists. Persuading, corrupting or conning them will be very difficult to pull off.
I envision a generation of remarkable members (of which I am an early forerunner) doing amazing, noble deeds, devising brand-new ethical updates as they delve deeper into their productive, artful lives. It is very promising.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Never Quite Get There
Journal Entry: 1-21-2012:
Even after a life time of intense, productive self-realizing, you will never achieve God-like certain knowledge, or complete understanding of ultimate mysteries. You will never undergo the enjoyment of every conceivable type of living. Your entelechy will never be synonymous with perfection These goals are beyond your ken and should be beyond your yearning.
That said, your ambition to rise to a level of accomplishment comparable to that of a minor divinity or angel is expected of you by God. You may yearn for this which is within your grasp.
Rich, varied experience, deep intellectual ascertaining of what is, and highly honed creative, artistic efforts, courageous living and becoming skilled at many tasks are your duty to undertake.
To refuse to live this way is to express a rejection of God's wishes for you. It is the pride of rebellion, the pride in low self-esteem, a lack of ambition, where you waste you talents. You would be guilty of sinning against God's will to live this lazy, unproductive life style.
Even after a life time of intense, productive self-realizing, you will never achieve God-like certain knowledge, or complete understanding of ultimate mysteries. You will never undergo the enjoyment of every conceivable type of living. Your entelechy will never be synonymous with perfection These goals are beyond your ken and should be beyond your yearning.
That said, your ambition to rise to a level of accomplishment comparable to that of a minor divinity or angel is expected of you by God. You may yearn for this which is within your grasp.
Rich, varied experience, deep intellectual ascertaining of what is, and highly honed creative, artistic efforts, courageous living and becoming skilled at many tasks are your duty to undertake.
To refuse to live this way is to express a rejection of God's wishes for you. It is the pride of rebellion, the pride in low self-esteem, a lack of ambition, where you waste you talents. You would be guilty of sinning against God's will to live this lazy, unproductive life style.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Peerless
Journal Entry: 1-21-2012
Through the centuries there have been great-souled individuals, peerless and in utter isolation. How they dealt with their solitary existence varied, but in a future society of individuators, such a person would not even stand out as unique. He would be admired and welcomed socially, but not rejected, scorned or harassed. Such a person could join to the degree that he desired or remain solitary; the neighbors would not care one way or the other. They would be too busy doing their own thing. He would only need to make his intention crystal clear and it would be honored.
Peerlessness historically has been a very rough way to go, very lonely and very painful. In the future, individuators developing their own souls to the point of greatness would welcome the profound genius among them more or less as a peer, be he more or less developed than they will be. They would invite him over for a meal, or out for a drink as Lily did for Eric Hoffer.
Warm relationships, social approval, interaction with someone who cares: these desirable social connections and treatment are what the peerless one desires. Social warmth is healthy for even the greatest among us for they are human too.
Through the centuries there have been great-souled individuals, peerless and in utter isolation. How they dealt with their solitary existence varied, but in a future society of individuators, such a person would not even stand out as unique. He would be admired and welcomed socially, but not rejected, scorned or harassed. Such a person could join to the degree that he desired or remain solitary; the neighbors would not care one way or the other. They would be too busy doing their own thing. He would only need to make his intention crystal clear and it would be honored.
Peerlessness historically has been a very rough way to go, very lonely and very painful. In the future, individuators developing their own souls to the point of greatness would welcome the profound genius among them more or less as a peer, be he more or less developed than they will be. They would invite him over for a meal, or out for a drink as Lily did for Eric Hoffer.
Warm relationships, social approval, interaction with someone who cares: these desirable social connections and treatment are what the peerless one desires. Social warmth is healthy for even the greatest among us for they are human too.
Democracy At Its Best
Journal Entry: 1-21-2012
The anarchist-individuator does not want power over another. Nor does he want another to have power over him. A political system built upon this building block of citizenry is least likely to fail. Democracy erected upon this base will be the most stable, workable, liberating and incorruptible form of democracy conceivable. Each of its citizens will be that unique blend of elite caliber blended with being a regular person. These democratic participants are first-rate.
The anarchist-individuator does not want power over another. Nor does he want another to have power over him. A political system built upon this building block of citizenry is least likely to fail. Democracy erected upon this base will be the most stable, workable, liberating and incorruptible form of democracy conceivable. Each of its citizens will be that unique blend of elite caliber blended with being a regular person. These democratic participants are first-rate.
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