Reason

[skyring]

I was perhaps the only student to come close to remembering the Plato quote we were set as last week's homework. It was the "opinion of the best" quote that had me thinking hard in class.

"When anger and fear, and pleasure and pain, and jealousies and desires, tyrannise over the soul, whether they do any harm or not - I call all this injustice. But when the opinion of the best, in whatever part of human nature states or individuals may suppose that to dwell, has dominion in the soul and orders the life of every man, even if it be sometimes mistaken, yet what is done in accordance therewith, the principle in individuals which obeys this rule, and is best for the whole life of man, is to be called just."

In other words, the decisions of those most highly regarded, unclouded by emotion, are closest to what is right and true.

Last night was reason, and we began with a definition: Reason is the faculty of mind which is used to know what is right and true.

The Tao tells me that we can never know for certain what is right and true and that's a fact.

So we talked about reason - and rationalisation - and how reason and rightness can differ according to levels:
Universe
Humanity
Community or nation
Family
Individual

What's right for the individual may not be right for the family and so on. Global warming got a guernsey for the final, topmost level.

The facilitator seemed to think that there was some absolute level of rightness. Have to keep an eye on him in case he's pushing Christian doctrine.

Next week: beauty

Comments

I'm with you on this one...

[discoverylover.livejournal.com]

Reminds me of learning something at university (yes, it did actually happen!) - the root of the word tikanga (custom) is tika (appropriate)....I remember the lecturer talking about how there are two different kinds of customs (kawa and tikanga) - kawa were customs sent down from the Gods, and tikanga are decisions that were made because they were right at the time, and have been continued on.

I'm sure Evelyn will be able to expand/adapt what I've said :-)

Personally I think that sometimes we do have to make decisions based on what's right at the time, and that isn't necessarily what's going to be right at any other time, or even 'right' at the time, but might be the best or only option.

Re: I'm with you on this one...

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

I wonder how the ideas of reason and rightness affect the current difficulties in the Maori Party at present.

Re: I'm with you on this one...

[skyring.livejournal.com]

The complete quote highlights the point of decisions made on incomplete evidence but in good faith:
When anger and fear, and pleasure and pain, and jealousies and desires, tyrannise over the soul, whether they do any harm or not-I call all this injustice. But when the opinion of the best, in whatever part of human nature states or individuals may suppose that to dwell, has dominion in the soul and orders the life of every man, even if it be sometimes mistaken, yet what is done in accordance therewith, the principle in individuals which obeys this rule, and is best for the whole life of man, is to be called just; although the hurt done by mistake is thought by many to be involuntary injustice.

[mollydot.livejournal.com]

I sort of think there is an absolute level of rightness, but that we can't necessarily reach it, or even fully recognise it.
I definitely think that about truth.

[holmesfan.livejournal.com]

There is sure some thought-provoking stuff there. The Plato quote is a trifle too complex for me, specially at this hour of night, but I like what the Tao tells you.
Your comment about the facilitator is interesting- I guess it would be had for a really committed Christian not to have that doctrine in mind. Tricky subject in which to remain an impartial facilitator.
Have you read "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho? I've just struggled a little with it but there are notions therein that are mildly akin to some of the ideas you mention, mildly.