Bad choices
As I listen to the news coverage of the Alabama election today I am struck by the number of people who believe that they do not have a good choice in terms of who they vote for in the race to elect a United States Senator. I am reminded of the fact that very often in life we are left with what seems to be unacceptable choices. At that point we somehow decide to choose one or we decide to do nothing. Doing nothing is obviously another choice, which also has repercussions.
No matter who gets elected today, the winner of this election will often be faced with having to choose between two or more choices which all seem unacceptable. One can, of course, refuse to do vote for any of those choices. If joined by enough of one’s colleague one can create a stalemate which in turn will provide proof for the belief that the legislative branch of the government is ineffective and unable to carry out their responsibilities.
At a meeting attended last week I and the other attendees were reminded that one of the skills that some students learn is how to debate both sides of an argument. It often seem as if many of us adults never learn this skill or regulated it to something one did only behind the ivy walls of academia.
To be honest, I certainly do not always find this an easy skill to practice. I can easily get attached to my way of thinking convinced that it is the only possible right way of thinking.
Many philosophers have suggested approaches to making decisions based on certain core values, what will provide the greatest good for the greatest number or some other criteria. I am not convinced that there is any scientific system for always for doing the next right thing.
I do think that I need to practice honesty and humility when examining my motives for any stance I take. Even though I have a difficult time accepting that anything less than universal health care is immoral is it possible that this is not the only moral stance on this subject? Even though I believe that women have the right to make a decision of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy, if I was the father of that fetus I could not agree to terminate the pregnancy? I could, however, easily argue both sides of this issue. Even though I believe that every adult has the right to make an informed choice about with whom they will have sexual relationships, I am fearful that, if not careful, I could unwittingly condone a witch hunt the end goal of which is to punish for punishment sake.
As of this writing I have no idea of who will win the United States Senate race in Alabama today. I do know that I have a clear preference. I also know that I would feel better if, as a society, if we made it easier for men and women to be accountable for past behavior and future behavior without being judged as worthless.
I have often been accused of overthinking every issue. I am sure that this is often the case. I sometimes envy those who find choices easy and clear. For better or worse that is not my experience. I do want, however, to be able to more consistently practice the art of the debate in which I can switch sides in an humble attempt to see the point which seems opposite of mine.
Written December 12, 2017
As I listen to the news coverage of the Alabama election today I am struck by the number of people who believe that they do not have a good choice in terms of who they vote for in the race to elect a United States Senator. I am reminded of the fact that very often in life we are left with what seems to be unacceptable choices. At that point we somehow decide to choose one or we decide to do nothing. Doing nothing is obviously another choice, which also has repercussions.
No matter who gets elected today, the winner of this election will often be faced with having to choose between two or more choices which all seem unacceptable. One can, of course, refuse to do vote for any of those choices. If joined by enough of one’s colleague one can create a stalemate which in turn will provide proof for the belief that the legislative branch of the government is ineffective and unable to carry out their responsibilities.
At a meeting attended last week I and the other attendees were reminded that one of the skills that some students learn is how to debate both sides of an argument. It often seem as if many of us adults never learn this skill or regulated it to something one did only behind the ivy walls of academia.
To be honest, I certainly do not always find this an easy skill to practice. I can easily get attached to my way of thinking convinced that it is the only possible right way of thinking.
Many philosophers have suggested approaches to making decisions based on certain core values, what will provide the greatest good for the greatest number or some other criteria. I am not convinced that there is any scientific system for always for doing the next right thing.
I do think that I need to practice honesty and humility when examining my motives for any stance I take. Even though I have a difficult time accepting that anything less than universal health care is immoral is it possible that this is not the only moral stance on this subject? Even though I believe that women have the right to make a decision of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy, if I was the father of that fetus I could not agree to terminate the pregnancy? I could, however, easily argue both sides of this issue. Even though I believe that every adult has the right to make an informed choice about with whom they will have sexual relationships, I am fearful that, if not careful, I could unwittingly condone a witch hunt the end goal of which is to punish for punishment sake.
As of this writing I have no idea of who will win the United States Senate race in Alabama today. I do know that I have a clear preference. I also know that I would feel better if, as a society, if we made it easier for men and women to be accountable for past behavior and future behavior without being judged as worthless.
I have often been accused of overthinking every issue. I am sure that this is often the case. I sometimes envy those who find choices easy and clear. For better or worse that is not my experience. I do want, however, to be able to more consistently practice the art of the debate in which I can switch sides in an humble attempt to see the point which seems opposite of mine.
Written December 12, 2017
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