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#21
10-13-2004, 03:17 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
Just because I believe something to be right for me does not mean that it is right for everyone.
I don't care for brussel sprouts, but others do (and they still cook them for me when I visit them [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]). Should I push that button so that I never have to eat brussel sprouts again? That would just kill the diversity that exists in our world and limit my potential experiences. Of course by destroying the machine and it's creator, I am exerting my beliefs on everyone else by not allowing them to use the machine... 
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#22
10-13-2004, 03:47 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
Having lived in Europe now for three years, I'm beginning to think the old "we'll go bankrupt" argument is overrated.
The Scandinavians seem to do it best, but France, Germany and UK are alright. They aren't wholly socialist, but they sure have a lot more (and better) social programs than we do! I would like to give it a shot--I'd much rather go bankrupt giving everyone decent healthcare, and a roof over their head in old age, than prosecuting some stupid war. I haven't seen anyone living under a cardboard box since I came here--what I hear is that if you're homeless, and there's nothing available, the govt. has to get you a hotel room..lol I live in the country, and if I need to see a doctor, I wait about 5 minutes in the office(!!), see him, then leave. If I need a prescription, there's a universal "co-pay" of £6.00--regardless of the cost of the medicine. While we're at it--how about signing the Kyoto Agreement? lol I'm feeling political tonight :P
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#24
10-13-2004, 04:39 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
Hi All,
I find it fascinating, and mildly ironic, that we have almost universal agreement on not pressing the button of the Universal Agreement Generator. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] I agree and for the reasons most commonly cited by others: (a) there's always the distinct possibility that I am very wrong about some of my moral or philosophical beliefs, and in ways that might create worse problems than we have now; (b) universal agreement would stifle creativity and growth; and, (c) it would be boring. I can't say I'm surprised about the (near) universal agreement on this issue. That being the case, however, why should we expect to agree on issues of politics, religion, and the other clutter that has all but killed this forum? Most of us have agreed that we wouldn't want a world where everyone agrees with us, yet some have argued passionately that others ought to see the 'plain fact' of their beliefs. Rather than denigrate those with whom we disagree, why not simply accept what we all seem to want (based on the results to my question) ... that we just disagree on many issues and that's actually beneficial to the human species? Just a thought. Cris
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#25
10-13-2004, 04:43 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
The Scandinavians seem to do it best, but France, Germany and UK are alright.
They aren't wholly socialist, but they sure have a lot more (and better) social programs than we do! Oh, I know, I'm just interested to see if they're going to fall apart as Europe ages.
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#26
10-13-2004, 04:58 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
[ QUOTE ]
Rather than denigrate those with whom we disagree, why not simply accept what we all seem to want (based on the results to my question) ... that we just disagree on many issues and that's actually beneficial to the human species? Just a thought. Cris [/ QUOTE ] What you want is not what will make you happy...
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#27
10-13-2004, 06:20 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ] Rather than denigrate those with whom we disagree, why not simply accept what we all seem to want (based on the results to my question) ... that we just disagree on many issues and that's actually beneficial to the human species? Just a thought. Cris [/ QUOTE ] What you want is not what will make you happy... [/ QUOTE ] Blah, that was a rather lame response by me... [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Anyways, Chris, haven't you just justified all of the different discussions happening on the psychology forum?
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#28
10-13-2004, 07:30 PM
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Re: Universal agreement?
I pretty much agree with everything you say here Kalooki. I think the Europeans, and Scandinavians in particular, are doing a better job with social welfare than we (U.S.) are. But it should be noted that such ideas may be more difficult to implememnt here, among other reasons, b/c we'd be working on a much larger scale.
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#29
10-14-2004, 10:52 AM
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Re: Universal agreement?
Yes to above re the larger scale.
It has struck me though, that the European societies are more caring, and demonstrate a bigger social conscience than we Americans. They pay a LOT in taxes, not only income, but the dreaded VAT, (which in UK adds about 17.5% onto almost everything you buy) in order to insure a higher minimum standard for those less able to fend for themselves. I admire them a lot for it--it's a noble attitude!
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#30
10-14-2004, 11:27 AM
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Re: Universal agreement?
I would not press the button.
I am most likely wrong about a few things. I suspect this because I've been wrong about certain things in the past, and have been corrected by people who had thought those things through more carefully than I had. If everyone had agreed with me, there would have been no one around to correct me. And I would now be worse off for it. Advances occur when a few people figure stuff out that others hadn't, and then spread the word. This happens when people think for themselves. It would happen much more slowly if everyone let me do their thinking (on philosophical issues) for them. So the machine would be bad.
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