I have to comment on the ethical underpinnings of this cartoon. The dominant ethical princiiple in the world is that the moral ideal is to sacrifice yourself for others. But nobody can live consistently by this creed without simply dying, so hypocrisy and guilt are unavoidable consequences.
The answer is to recognize that your life belongs to you, not to everyone else. Live it for your own benefit and leave everyone else free to do the same.
(The inevitable question is, does this mean you can never choose to help someone else? Of course not, but the key word is “choose”, and you are under no moral obligation to help. After all, no matter how much you help someone, there is always someone else poorer or sicker or unluckier, and there is no end to how much you must give up of your own life. Remember, it’s YOUR life.)
ksoskins over 14 years ago
Charity begins at home.
JohnKovaleski Premium Member over 14 years ago
Come see the Bo Nanas sockmonkey. http://kovaleski.wordpress.com/
Charles Weir over 14 years ago
John, that sockmonkey is way cool.
JohnKovaleski Premium Member over 14 years ago
Hope our kid let’s me play with it.
pschearer Premium Member over 14 years ago
I have to comment on the ethical underpinnings of this cartoon. The dominant ethical princiiple in the world is that the moral ideal is to sacrifice yourself for others. But nobody can live consistently by this creed without simply dying, so hypocrisy and guilt are unavoidable consequences.
The answer is to recognize that your life belongs to you, not to everyone else. Live it for your own benefit and leave everyone else free to do the same.
(The inevitable question is, does this mean you can never choose to help someone else? Of course not, but the key word is “choose”, and you are under no moral obligation to help. After all, no matter how much you help someone, there is always someone else poorer or sicker or unluckier, and there is no end to how much you must give up of your own life. Remember, it’s YOUR life.)