Trismegistus said:
You must forgive my poll's vagueness. It is a question designed to cause people to think about how they view social responsibility. I should have been more specific. I should have added that choosing one does not preclude the other, rather it would be more important than the other in that person's view. It can be quite revealing.
I think it's an excellent topic, and one that is not addressed enough.
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Trismegistus said:
In terms of society, there are those who believe that personal responsibility is the key to a working society.....each of them, willingly owning their words, actions and reactions as a means to the development of an ordered, yet free society. These people usually believe that their current situation is based on decisions that they, themselves, made. They attach their outlook for success based on what they can do, themselves, to improve the situation.
This is where I fit. But I'd like to add something else to that, if I may. Not only owning our own words and actions, but also those of our minor children. If my child goes spewing racist remarks, he/she learned that somewhere. If I, as a parent, don't get to the source of it, aren't I only contributing to the problem as it continues?
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Trismegistus said:
There are others who believe that society, is responsible for the well being of it's denizens. They assert that others have, through various means or disaster, have caused their current situation. They attach their outlook for success to the limitations of what society can do to improve their situation. They rely on the wisdom of the collective to keep an ordered, yet free society.
This I cannot agree with in any manner. I can't see how this can work, because in the end, someone's rights under the same constitution are getting trampled.
Trismegistus said:
I understand that these are gross generalizations, please bear with me. It is my hope to get people to ponder how they view their social responsibilities. For some reason, this topic, at times, can be heated. I merely wish to spark thoughtful dialogue.
As it should. In most cases, aren't mutual understandings, agreements, and changes the result of thoughtful dialogue?
Trismegistus said:
This model translates in to many different areas.
For example:
If I am battered by my wife, who is more responsible?
a. Her father who beat her daily as a child?
b. My wife, for battering me?
All are responsible. Her father, indirect responsiblity, he taught her the behavior, but shouldn't be the focus of the issue. Wife is the batterer, wife is responsible for her actions, not her father. That may be a source of the problem, not the whole problem. The cycle of abuse is perpetuated (and I'm sure to get blasted, but I'm speaking of my own experiences) because 9 times out of 10, the recognition of it as battery is one we don't want to make. We make excuses, we say, He/she just had a rough day. Excusing it away makes us feel better, then we don't have to admit failure. There is MANY truth's to the addage "Admission is half the battle"
Now continuing to live in an abusive relationship, that's a responsibility of the battered adult. Rising up against a batterer can be empowering, and dangerous. Strengthening certain laws is a societal thing, and may make this facet of the problem eaiser.
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Trismegistus said:
If I am a Christian and I take offense to a small buddha statue being displayed behind the counter in a convenience store, who is responsible for my feelings of being offended?
a. the store owner for displaying the statue?
b. Me for being offended
No brainer... the one offended. There are other stores that don't have a religious display, if it's that bothersome, right?
Trismegistus said:
or
If I am a child in grade school and I recieve a kindness award because "it is my turn" or because "every one deserves an award", is that a good thing or not?
Getting an award for what one hasn't achieved is pointless. In my mind, it only festers an "entitlement" attitude, where people come to expect things without having to do the work to earn them.