Another point about the higher sense of justice vs thinking like a dog.
In one of these videos, I think it was one about torts, Graf told a story about some pictures that were taken or loaned that were never returned by David. David, may have felt justified in his actions, and the others may have felt offended, sad or helpless.
Is it possible to accept that loss without passing judgment? And, could the higher sense of justice be the need for reconciliation between David and the others?
I think that people have the capacity to overcome the sense of right and wrong. This is not very practical, collectively, in the world at large, but on a more personal level, we can learn to be less reactionary to the things that go on around us. Its hard to argue that, on a large scale, with things like pollution and political corruption, but someone cutting you off in traffic, or failing to say thank you or excuse me; these things affect us because of our own perspectives.
There are two kinds of freedom, just like there are two kinds of forgiveness and so on. You can physically be free to come and go and do things without being locked up or chained. But if the things that you do, are not YOUR will, then even though you are physically free, spiritually you are a slave. On the same token, you can be physically enslaved, while spiritually free because you have the capacity to love, and forgive, and reason.
With forgiveness as the other example, you can tell someone that it is okay that they have wronged you or that they dont owe you anything, but if you dont release the resentment or anxiety that you feel about it, then spiritually, you have not forgiven them, even though you have forgiven them physically. You can also forgive (or apologies) spiritually without the other person even knowing.
I think that dogs and other animals dont really have a sense of right and wrong. I think they are reactionary. They react to fear, hunger and social structures, etc. I think that they can feel something like shame or submission, but I dont really think they consider anything to be right or wrong. For them, things just are what they are.
People on the other hand, have a sense of right and wrong, a sense of justice. Mostly, these conclusions are learned, and in that sense, those conclusions are a lot like the way animals react to socially acceptable norms. But I also think that humans have the capacity to understand that there is a higher standard of justice; sometimes we see that the socially acceptable norms are unjust.
A person can rationalize, for example, a person who is in a war might say, If I dont kill the enemy, he will surely kill me. This sounds logical but, as a human, this person and his enemy (both) know deep down inside that it is wrong and that there should be a better way. An animal, like a dog or a deer can not conceptualize on this level. IMHO.
The right to have food? In the animal kingdom, there is no sense of right and wrong when it comes to killing for food. Humans understand that there is a higher standard of justice, and that we dont have the right to eat, if it means taking it from another person, or even if it means that we are being irresponsible with the how it affects the world around us.
Hi Alan, I think that what you are teaching is great. I'm a teacher that has never fit in because of the way that I think. I am a philosopher and a psychological genius. I love David Thoreau and RW Emerson. Like them, I study Eastern Religion. I would like to teach at the Farm, a course called Parallels in Science, Philosophy and Religion. Can you tell me who I might address with my ideas?? I am on my way to Korea, however, I would like to visit The Farm some time next year.
Alan, you'd do the legal profession and society a service by teaching as an Adjunct or Visiting professor at ANY law school, in any state! :) Our country's evolving (new) lawyers could use a mentor/guide such as you!
wow Alan, thanks so very VERY much for this!!! You are sharing your wisdom and those of us out on the front lines can truly glean and use this in our own advocacy issues...and for those of others....I AM TAKING NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!YES!!!!
Another point about the higher sense of justice vs thinking like a dog.
In one of these videos, I think it was one about torts, Graf told a story about some pictures that were taken or loaned that were never returned by David. David, may have felt justified in his actions, and the others may have felt offended, sad or helpless.
Is it possible to accept that loss without passing judgment? And, could the higher sense of justice be the need for reconciliation between David and the others?
kindly4real 2 years ago
I think that people have the capacity to overcome the sense of right and wrong. This is not very practical, collectively, in the world at large, but on a more personal level, we can learn to be less reactionary to the things that go on around us. Its hard to argue that, on a large scale, with things like pollution and political corruption, but someone cutting you off in traffic, or failing to say thank you or excuse me; these things affect us because of our own perspectives.
kindly4real 2 years ago
And while I try to promote positive actions, I have to remember that my reactions are based on my perspective, and not the actions themselves.
kindly4real 2 years ago
There are two kinds of freedom, just like there are two kinds of forgiveness and so on. You can physically be free to come and go and do things without being locked up or chained. But if the things that you do, are not YOUR will, then even though you are physically free, spiritually you are a slave. On the same token, you can be physically enslaved, while spiritually free because you have the capacity to love, and forgive, and reason.
kindly4real 2 years ago
With forgiveness as the other example, you can tell someone that it is okay that they have wronged you or that they dont owe you anything, but if you dont release the resentment or anxiety that you feel about it, then spiritually, you have not forgiven them, even though you have forgiven them physically. You can also forgive (or apologies) spiritually without the other person even knowing.
kindly4real 2 years ago
I think that dogs and other animals dont really have a sense of right and wrong. I think they are reactionary. They react to fear, hunger and social structures, etc. I think that they can feel something like shame or submission, but I dont really think they consider anything to be right or wrong. For them, things just are what they are.
kindly4real 2 years ago
People on the other hand, have a sense of right and wrong, a sense of justice. Mostly, these conclusions are learned, and in that sense, those conclusions are a lot like the way animals react to socially acceptable norms. But I also think that humans have the capacity to understand that there is a higher standard of justice; sometimes we see that the socially acceptable norms are unjust.
kindly4real 2 years ago
A person can rationalize, for example, a person who is in a war might say, If I dont kill the enemy, he will surely kill me. This sounds logical but, as a human, this person and his enemy (both) know deep down inside that it is wrong and that there should be a better way. An animal, like a dog or a deer can not conceptualize on this level. IMHO.
kindly4real 2 years ago
The right to have food? In the animal kingdom, there is no sense of right and wrong when it comes to killing for food. Humans understand that there is a higher standard of justice, and that we dont have the right to eat, if it means taking it from another person, or even if it means that we are being irresponsible with the how it affects the world around us.
kindly4real 2 years ago
Hi Alan, I think that what you are teaching is great. I'm a teacher that has never fit in because of the way that I think. I am a philosopher and a psychological genius. I love David Thoreau and RW Emerson. Like them, I study Eastern Religion. I would like to teach at the Farm, a course called Parallels in Science, Philosophy and Religion. Can you tell me who I might address with my ideas?? I am on my way to Korea, however, I would like to visit The Farm some time next year.
Dianne Hensley
thebluesage2009 2 years ago
great post
bjarczyk 3 years ago
Alan, you'd do the legal profession and society a service by teaching as an Adjunct or Visiting professor at ANY law school, in any state! :) Our country's evolving (new) lawyers could use a mentor/guide such as you!
Keep up the exceptional work. :)
TerriJStewart 3 years ago
wow Alan, thanks so very VERY much for this!!! You are sharing your wisdom and those of us out on the front lines can truly glean and use this in our own advocacy issues...and for those of others....I AM TAKING NOTES!!!!!!!!!!!!!YES!!!!
cosmicshad0w 4 years ago