Comments on: Discussion Question #1

By: Daisy

Daisy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:56:05 +0000

Hey, thanks for the answers, everybody! Interesting stuff — it’s been really fun to see the range here.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:24:42 +0000

After some thought, I’d say a combination of awareness and compassion. When the two work together, they give birth to a sense of ethics, inspiration and motivation. They drive the action that makes the world a better place.

I really like the idea of justice being a result of meeting our responsibilities.

By: Jeff Napolitano

Jeff Napolitano — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 06:23:31 +0000

This merits a much longer response (this is a big question), but just quickly: I can’t think of a single term to sum up what quality is most important. However, in general, but particularly in the political world, two key qualities would be (1) rationality and (2) consistency (the opposite of hypocrisy). Rationality, because too many decision are made not just out of emotion, but because even some non-emotional decision are made without regard for the long-term. Consistency, because it is almost a law in the politics and culture of our society that we do not hold ourselves to the same standard that we hold others. We see others as terrorists – yet we do not see our own aggression and brutalism. We condemn the extreme in other religions, but fail to see the extremism in our own. And in current news, we are willing to give billions of dollars to the wealthiest in society, but aren’t willing to give a nickel to the least well-off.
More later …

By: Emily

Emily — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:48:42 +0000

I’m thinking some combination of curiosity and compassion, the desire to be always learning more.

By: Infra

Infra — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 00:09:45 +0000

Alterity, even in the face of the reprehensible.

Without that, any act intended to change others — or to change the context within which others live — becomes an act of colonization. And that’s at best; at worst, it becomes an act of dominion.

By: Daran

Daran — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:43:53 +0000

What one value or quality is important to you above all others?

Deal fairly with other people. Don’t screw them over, just because you can.

By: “What one value or quality is important to you above all others?” « Our Descent Into Madness

Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:34:09 +0000

[...] 26, 2008 at 3:33 pm (administrative business, neat things) Just put up my first real post at Revolutionary Act, posing that question. Head over there if you’d like to answer it and [...]