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Mercnbeth -> RE: "Problem solved" (10/19/2006 4:21:39 PM)
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quote:
the concept of fairness is a human one, one that we impose on the world. As humans with the ability to make choices we can choose whether or not to be fair......just because it isn't necessarily present in nature doesn't mean we have no ethical or moral imperative to be fair. As machine building and tool using animals we modify nature continually, the ability to be fair is among those qualities that distinguish us as a species.
philosophy,
Although I'd argue that the concept of UN-fairness is more human than fairness, I'll accept that's a result of my cynical and skeptical belief in collective human goodness. However, your post does suggest that at the very least fairness is not natural based upon the sentence that I highlighted.
As a person, mostly human, I agree and sincerely try to have all my interactions with other humans ethically and morally fair. I hope I live my life with the hope of being fair to all. That is personal.
As a person whose closest identification to a religion is "devote pragmatist" I live in a world where the vast majority of "powers that be" do not have such personal integrity, morality, or sense of fairness. Therefore, the best I can hope for in people is that they be consistent. I appreciate and honor consistency, even if that consistency is in direct opposition to my sense of fairness and correctness, or if it's consistently immoral and corrupt. Why? Because I can deal with it. It represents reality. It helps to make pragmatic decisions.
To be unilaterally "fair" will not accomplish anything. I see no indication that any attempt at fairness is fair to all. Consider the attempt of correcting injustices done in the past. By the very nature of the action it creates current "un-fairness" which in turn generates resentment, alienation, and in the worst case - war. No it isn't "fair". But then that's why I find it easier to accept that life, in general isn't, and will never be fair.
There are many who work harder than me and are smarter; but I make 100 times as much. I am smarter and work harder than many making 100 times more than me. Neither situation is fair, but there is only one situation I can do anything about - me. I can't go back in the past and re-do college, or start over in a different career path. I can set a goal and work hard to achieve it. If I do achieve or not may depend as much on luck and opportunity as it does fairness. Just as all of the unfairness in human history. But the people who want to correct the un-fairness of poor immigrants or the original inhabitants of the land, now know as the United States, aren't supporting a self improvement program to work in the present. They want to look backward and ignore any current situation, law, or legal sovereignty. It serves their argument but it doesn't consider reality, or present a viable solution. Comparing it again to my personal situation, fairness would come only if I can go back and be born as Bill Gates. When the time machine gets invented I may sign up for the long line for that opportunity. Meanwhile I still only expect 'fair' when I see a tall ferris wheel in the distance.
I'll settle for consistency instead; react to it, and be content.
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