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Three traits of a good person

BunksBunks Australia Veteran

Extracted from the ABC news website here in Australia:

Kantianism: when we treat people as means to themselves, as opposed to means to an end. Basically, we're not out to use them. It's pretty much the opposite of Machiavellianism, and is based on the philosophy of Immanuel Kant.

Humanism: valuing the dignity and worth of each individual person.

Faith in humanity: we believe that people are fundamentally good.

personJeffreyShoshinlobsterDavidVastmind

Comments

  • JeroenJeroen Luminous beings are we, not this crude matter Netherlands Veteran

    Not bad. Does that mean we should all convert to being Kantian Humanists with Faith in Humanity?

    Perhaps people are fundamentally good, but they can acquire desires, drives and motivations which are not. The process of growing from a baby into an adult leaves all kinds of scars on all of us, and some a lot more than others.

    We had a case here of a man who stabbed three people to death who were out walking their dogs in the forest. He is now in a closed psychiatric ward being assessed, prior to his court case. Sometimes people just snap, and then it’s a question of what comes up in their minds.

    Bunks
  • personperson Don't believe everything you think The liminal space Veteran
    edited May 2019

    Those are all important values. I think morality is often more complicated though. It's not that we should abandon those values but sometimes additional considerations come into play. For example the whole notion of utilitarianism, the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Or the trolley problem, if people aren't ever a means to an end is it ever okay to sacrifice one life to save five?

    Bunks
  • KundoKundo Sydney, Australia Veteran

    @Bunks said:
    Extracted from the ABC news website here in Australia:

    Kantianism: when we treat people as means to themselves, as opposed to means to an end. Basically, we're not out to use them. It's pretty much the opposite of Machiavellianism, and is based on the philosophy of Immanuel Kant.

    Humanism: valuing the dignity and worth of each individual person.

    Faith in humanity: we believe that people are fundamentally good.

    I'm on board with the first two. However, our impending Federal Election has quickly extinguished number 3 for me... ???

    BunksVastmindRowan1980
  • lobsterlobster Veteran

    @Bunks said:
    Faith in humanity: we believe that people are fundamentally good.

    Yes fundamentally I am good ... unfortunately I am not a fundamentalist. :o
    However I believe in people. Buddha was a people (strange but true) ...

    The great trick is to be good. However first we have to dwell in and retain beginner/fundamental/empty mind ... genuine good or natural being comes from this simplicity ....

    Bunks
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