Misanthrope?

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Who are you?

If you're always disappointed in others the word to use is arrogant (is your way of living really better than how all other people behave?)

And on the off chance you are like me and everyone else really is inferior to you, you shouldn't be expecting them to do better, it's better to stay aloof, saves a lot of agitation

Well you could say it's about arrogance. But it's not really fitting. I'm not saying they are worse people than me. I'm saying that they do things that disappoint me.

I have my faults for sure. And I'm aware of them. One of them may indeed be arrogance. But then again, I'd rather be arrogant than being an idiot who yells at her child at the zoo because the child doesn't find it to be as funny as the parent expected or something. I'd rather be arrogant than being someone who thinks everyone of a different colour is a thief and so forth.

[Laz116]

Oh and btw: It's not like I don't think people do good either. I think its immensely touching when something like this happens:




I just think that he is transcending the typical conduct of us humans. He shows the potential in humanity, which I find limitless.

So maybe it's all about me wanting to much and hoping for to much?

[Moejoe]

Originally Posted by Laz116

Oh and btw: It's not like I don't think people do good either. I think its immensely touching when something like this happens:




I just think that he is transcending the typical conduct of us humans. He shows the potential in humanity, which I find limitless.

So maybe it's all about me wanting to much and hoping for to much?

Ghandi said that You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Whenever I feel like I'm taking on some Sysiphian task, that the world could never change, I think of that quote and it makes me smile. If I live by that motto then every day I exist is a day that its worthwile, that I've lived with honour and integrity. No amount of money or corporate fearmongering can ever take that away

[Who are you?]

Or maybe you are not paying enough attention? Or focusing on the wrong things?

Not everyone has the daily chance to make a dramatic gesture towards their government. But also not everyone will be angry with their children for bad reasons.

When you were in the zoo and saw the parent possibly acting wrong you also saw 1000 times as many people having fun and spending time with their family or friends (which are good/positive things), why do you decide to deride all of mankind when it is you who focuses on the negativity/extremes?

(I will leave the color thing for another time, when I have more time to debate)

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Moejoe

Ghandi said that You must be the change you wish to see in the world.

Whenever I feel like I'm taking on some Sysiphian task, that the world could never change, I think of that quote and it makes me smile. If I live by that motto then every day I exist is a day that its worthwile, that I've lived with honour and integrity. No amount of money or corporate fearmongering can ever take that away

It IS a good motto. And the world would be a better place if we all lived by it. But it's not enough. A lot of things in this world is not something we as individuals can do anything about.

I think that Gandhis deontological ethics is liberalisms wet dream. Because as long as we say it's up to the individual to buy organic food, to use a more environmentally safe detergent and so forth, we actually forget the real culprits. It's difficult as a citizen to make informed choices when things aren't transparent. So we can live in wonderfull bliss and be as Ghandhi-like as possible while the company we work for, at the same time, perhaps causes thousands of deaths directly or indirectly. It was just not transparent to us. So I think this motto is great at some level (for individuals) but that we at the same time have to have some serious regulation to ensure transparency.

[Laz116]

Originally Posted by Who are you?

Or maybe you are not paying enough attention? Or focusing on the wrong things?

Not everyone has the daily chance to make a dramatic gesture towards their government. But also not everyone will be angry with their children for bad reasons.

When you were in the zoo and saw the parent possibly acting wrong you also saw 1000 times as many people having fun and spending time with their family or friends (which are good/positive things), why do you decide to deride all of mankind when it is you who focuses on the negativity/extremes?

(I will leave the color thing for another time, when I have more time to debate)

YES. I think you do have a point. Maybe I just remember the bad stuff. It may be the things that is called to my intention. I think that at least is an interesting question. Are we better at remembering the wrongs (done to us and others) than the rights?

I personally believe so based very loosely on my friends and my own experience.

For an example: If you recall you childhood, what pops up? Happy memories of joy and fun or memories of lack, guilt and misunderstanding?

Edit: I don't deride mankind btw. I have great hopes in humanity.