Humanity

I care about people as a whole and avoid those individuals who choose to live among ugliness and entertain the world with their afflictions in prey of innocent victims. I don't understand why these people thirst for pity or want to hurt another because they hurt.

I have experienced the fragility of humanity. All we do effects everyone, directly or indirectly. Our choices have far reaching implications. The people we contact are affected by those choices… and the people they contact… and the people they contact… We must understand that our primary responsibility is to others. I have a moral and ethical obligation to contribute positively to humanity and society. If I am unable or unwilling to receive and give love to and from those around me I help to destroy humanity, making room for something else.

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June 17th, 2007 By Scott Sheaffer | Categories: Life | Tags: humanity, thoughts | Full Article Feed | Summary Article Feed | Comments Feed | Full Articles by Email | Respond | Trackback URL

2. Comedy Plus on June 17th, 2007 at 8:34 am (Reply)
   
   

   I am with you on this one Scott. I see a pattern here. I believe every word you are saying. I have watched society change, and not for the better either. It is frightening. Peace begins with me, and you, and you. Excellent post Scott. Excellent.

3. hari on June 17th, 2007 at 1:35 pm (Reply)
   
   

   Hi Scott.

   Your posts are a bit philosophical, so I have trouble responding to them. I can agree with you generally, but I think the primary duty/responsibility of every person is to himself/herself and their own upliftment (both material and spiritual) - this is not selfishness - it is self-interest. Selfishness comes in the picture when we actually harm others for our own self interest. If we treat ourselves properly and take care of our lives properly, we are in a position to help others. Not otherwise.

   I agree that people have a responsibility to society, but they cannot be responsible for others when they are incapable of being responsible for their own welfare. Only a person who can uplift himself/herself is capable of uplifting others.

4. Scott Sheaffer on June 18th, 2007 at 6:10 am (Reply)
   
   

   hari,
   I agree with the premise of your philosophy that 'the primary duty/responsibility of every person is to himself/herself and their own upliftment (both material and spiritual)'if in that you mean learning the limits of our intellectual and spiritual capabilities and then achieving them. However, after reaching our individual intellectual and spiritual limitations we have an obligation community (society) to share our knowledge and skills and to improve the whole of human existence.

   Jeffrey Hopkins, in the introduction to 'The Meaning of Life: Buddhist Perspectives on Cause and Effect by Dalai Lama', indicates that an enlightened man is 'One who has overcome the sleep of ignorance and has spread his/her intelligence to everything that can be known.'

   We do have a responsibility to ourselves but ultimately our responsibility is to society (the community).

   BTW: I agree with your definition of selfishness. In fact I would go as far as to say that you have defined sin, ' . . . when we actually harm others for our own self interest'. Excellent post hari.

5. Accidental Environmentalist on June 18th, 2007 at 2:03 pm (Reply)
   
   

   Hello You have been tagged. Hope you will participate. I love this blog entry.

6. Matthew Jabs on June 20th, 2007 at 9:00 pm (Reply)
   
   

   I simply try to live my life according to God's word. Sure, I fail miserably most days, but that is my goal in life.

   This world WILL fall apart, it's part of God's plan, so there's nothing we can do about it. All we can do is follow His Word & trust that He is in control of everything.

   If you follow God's word, you'll be doing the greatest service to society you possibly can!

   If I had to worry about all others in this world I would surely go insane, so I work on my relationship with God & trust that He will work out the details. Without faith, I would be nothing.

   Good post Scott.

7. Tabby on June 21st, 2007 at 7:50 am (Reply)
   
   

   perhaps those individuals who live among ugliness? know only that! I believe we are taught, hopefully….to be kind and loving to everyone around us. Some are less fortunate, and have had no guidance, or poor teachings. For some it is their hope that maybe they'll be helped, and the only way to get what they need, in their minds? is to hurt others. Surely attention comes then……whether it's good or bad, it's still recognition…..