Chapter 10 - Conflict between individual and social morality
"The peace of the world must be gained by strife." Augustine
The individual must strive to realize his life by finding himself in something greater.
Compare:
unselfishness vs justice, love vs utilitarianism or non-violence vs coercion
Some conflict between even the purest individual morality and adequate political policy must always remain.
It is the responsibility of individuals to maintain the illusion that the collective life of mankind can achieve perfect justice.
My thoughts:
Obviously strife is a part of life but getting caught up focusing ONLY on specific cases of inequality and injustice causes us to develop very specific solutions and lose sight of the preferable over-riding principles like unselfishness, and love.
Some may read Niebuhr's closing comments about maintaining an illusion as unrealistic "wishful thinking" but those people would miss the point. If each individual does their part the illusion will become reality, and furthermore all an individual can do is their own part.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 9
Chapter 9 - Moral Values in Politics
Powerful classes dominate politics
The moralist fails to see the injustice, coercion and inequalities which history sanctifies and tradition justifies.
Marxian philosophy is more true than pacifism in that it allows for discrimination between the purpose and ends for which coercion is used.
pacifism = non-cooperation = violence (not convincing)
Non-violent resistance, as distinct from pacifism, offers best harmony between moral and rational and greatest area of political participation for religion.
Powerful classes dominate politics
The moralist fails to see the injustice, coercion and inequalities which history sanctifies and tradition justifies.
Marxian philosophy is more true than pacifism in that it allows for discrimination between the purpose and ends for which coercion is used.
pacifism = non-cooperation = violence (not convincing)
Non-violent resistance, as distinct from pacifism, offers best harmony between moral and rational and greatest area of political participation for religion.
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 8
Chapter 8 - Justice Through Political Force
The main tool for equality (taxation) has diminishing returns.
Puts a "qualified trust" in democracy. However, it is influenced by the special interest groups that control them and it always claims loyalties.
The main tool for equality (taxation) has diminishing returns.
Puts a "qualified trust" in democracy. However, it is influenced by the special interest groups that control them and it always claims loyalties.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 7
Chapter 7 - Justice Through Revolution
aka "What political possibilities exist through violence?"
Violence is not immoral if used with goodwill.
Hunger produces revolution.
Does the end justify the means?
Individual fanaticism turns merciless when made into political policy.
aka "What political possibilities exist through violence?"
Violence is not immoral if used with goodwill.
Hunger produces revolution.
Does the end justify the means?
Individual fanaticism turns merciless when made into political policy.
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 6
Chapter 6 - Attitude of the Proletarian Class
Niebuhr has so much to say about the attitude of the proletaria. I will try to summarize.
Marxian socialism leaves a type of moral cynicism. And force is required too overcome ideologies. (Trotsky)
Its true that both employers AND employees have an interest to ensure that a business succeeds, but it is most definitely NOT the SAME interest.
If anyone is best able to describe the social ideal it is the proletarian class who have experienced the bankruptcy of the old social order.
Niebuhr mandate that equality is the foundation of justice is closely matched by "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. " and "special privileges make men dishonest"
Disproportion of the means of production = disproportion of power = inequality
= the real root of injustice.
The question is, can power be destroyed completely without losing what is good and creating new injustices.
Niebuhr has so much to say about the attitude of the proletaria. I will try to summarize.
Marxian socialism leaves a type of moral cynicism. And force is required too overcome ideologies. (Trotsky)
Its true that both employers AND employees have an interest to ensure that a business succeeds, but it is most definitely NOT the SAME interest.
If anyone is best able to describe the social ideal it is the proletarian class who have experienced the bankruptcy of the old social order.
Niebuhr mandate that equality is the foundation of justice is closely matched by "from each according to his ability, to each according to his needs. " and "special privileges make men dishonest"
Disproportion of the means of production = disproportion of power = inequality
= the real root of injustice.
The question is, can power be destroyed completely without losing what is good and creating new injustices.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 5
Chapter 5 - Privileged Classes
It is the first objective of government to protect the rights of the privileged.
The privileged class includes the governing class and the capitalist class.
Examples - slavery, voting rights, segregated education - the basis of which is always intellectual or moral superiority.
It is the first objective of government to protect the rights of the privileged.
The privileged class includes the governing class and the capitalist class.
Examples - slavery, voting rights, segregated education - the basis of which is always intellectual or moral superiority.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 4
Chapter 4 -Morality of Nations
My thoughts: Clearly there is little to no inherent morality ascribed to a nation simply by virtue of being a nation. In fact, much about being a nation requires questionable morality according to Niebuhr; Hence the title of the book.
- "Nations are not to be trusted beyond their own interests" George Washington
- Suffers from a lack of knowledge of the problems of others. ( in comparison to their own)
- What lies beyond the nation (human kind) is too vague to inspire devotion. ( nation is the largest group that people can be devoted to )
- A world population that is two percent pacifist would be enough to prevent future wars. Albert Einstein
- National unity requires international conflict and also necessitates hypocritical moral pretensions.
My thoughts: Clearly there is little to no inherent morality ascribed to a nation simply by virtue of being a nation. In fact, much about being a nation requires questionable morality according to Niebuhr; Hence the title of the book.
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 3
Chapter 3 - Religious Resources
- Love for neighbour above oneself is ethically purer than a rational response.
- Our obligation to love, honour and obey any being is in direct proportion to it's loveliness, honourableness and authority.
- Religion and morality are separated by contrition (Luther/Barth) or reverence (pantheism) Augustine
- Thomas Aquinas has religious "sin" without destroying moral connotation.
- Usually the individual is saved by grace and society is consigned to the devil.
- All men can not be expected to become spiritual any more than they can all be expected to become rational.
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 2
Chapter 2 - Rational Resources
- Ignorance and selfishness are the ultimate sources of conflict and injustice.
- Kant's moral imperative (ie universality)
- Rationality destroys acceptance of injustice.
- Laisez faire vs suppression of discontent (?)
- Human intelligence is not growing fast enough to master the growing social problems created by technological advances.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Moral Man and Immoral Society - Reinhold Niebuhr - Chapter 1
Chapter 1 - Living Together (ie. the problem)
My thoughts: Dr. Niebuhr lays out a harsh, yet realistic assessment of the very difficult job of living together as many humans on just one planet. We form groups, families, classes, and nations of like-minded, or similarly interested parties, and those interests by definition clash with the differing interests of others.
Given these issues, is there any hope for establishing and operating a political system that does not suffer from them?
- People have not yet learned to live together without compounding their vices.
- Ingenuity may increase our treasures, but it can not satisfy our wants.
- Self interest makes it impossible to view social policy without regard for our own interests.
- Force and coercion are an inevitable part of society organization.
- The power that prevents anarchy in INTRAgroup relations encourages anarchy in INTERgroup relations.
- Peace is always uneasy and unjust.
My thoughts: Dr. Niebuhr lays out a harsh, yet realistic assessment of the very difficult job of living together as many humans on just one planet. We form groups, families, classes, and nations of like-minded, or similarly interested parties, and those interests by definition clash with the differing interests of others.
Given these issues, is there any hope for establishing and operating a political system that does not suffer from them?
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Jan 2011
You can't construct an "ought" if you don't know what "is". Ravi Zacharias on moral relativism / atheism.
Basically, there is no scientific or humanistic or materialistic basis for making absolute moral statements. This has two related outcomes.
1) Atheists and relativists making moral statements are undercut by their own relativism
2) Theists have the benefit of moral absolutes (ex. rape is wrong) that shows there is a moral law and that moral law comes from somewhere.
Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and knowledge.
Romans 2:1-3
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Basically, there is no scientific or humanistic or materialistic basis for making absolute moral statements. This has two related outcomes.
1) Atheists and relativists making moral statements are undercut by their own relativism
2) Theists have the benefit of moral absolutes (ex. rape is wrong) that shows there is a moral law and that moral law comes from somewhere.
Proverbs 1:7 Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Only fools despise wisdom and knowledge.
Romans 2:1-3
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Remain Humble in Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Training 2011
Since the 2009 Solo Death Race attempt was a miserable failure ( not only due to insufficient training mind you ) I figure that AT LEAST a 50% increase over 2009 training miles will be required to get in shape and to get sufficient experience to conquer the full Death Race Ultra.
Here are the 2009 monthly goals along with the 2009 and 2011 actuals for comparison.
| Month | Goal KM | 2008/9Actual | 2010/11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April to Dec | 1160 | 1192 | 1177 | |||
| January | 310 | 312 | ||||
| February | 340 | 285 | ||||
| March | 380 | 381 | ||||
| April | 400 | 430 | ||||
| May | 425 | 316 | ||||
| June | 450 | 310 | ||||
| July | 250 | 150 | ||||
| August | 125 | Death Race!!! | ||||
| Totals (click to map) | 3226 |
