Here's a little questionaire I got awhile back in Islamic World. I'd like anyone and everyone to fill it out so I can gain an idea of what values my friends (and enemies) have.
What is the nature of the univere? The nature of the universe is dictated by strict laws. These laws are held together by the four fundamental forces, Gravity, Weak Nuclear Force, Electromagnetism, and Strong Nuclear Force.
What is the nature of people? The nature of people is to be threatened by that which we do not understand. But from this very hatred comes another tendancy, to love that which we understand. When we love something, we seek to undersatnd more about it. As we learn more we love more. Inversely, the less we know about something the less we accept it.
How should we view change? We should view change with acceptance. Change is a natural progression from what something is. Change is inevitable, and should thus be accepted for denying change is denying reality itself.
How should we relate to the environment? We must build a symbiotic relationship with it, as we have become dependant on it. We must reap what we need, but without killing in excess. Without mother nature to support us, even in this age of technology, we would surely perish.
How should we view time? Time is an all present state in the universe. Time is the measurement of change. Time is a necessity for anything to exist. Without time, there is no movement, with no movement, there is nothing to measure. To be able to understand that something exists, it must be imposable by other forces. These forces would move the object, but with since movement would be impossible there is no existance.
How should we view space? Space is void of all visible matter. It is the very essence of nothing, but is also non existant. Space is just known as a void because there is little perception. But space is filled. Photons, and waves, and many other unnoticable things pass through this "void"
What goals should we strive for? We should strive for self satisfaction. The only way to gain value or self worth is to do something worthy of praise. Since praise and reward are only given to you once you have given something, the greatest awards are for those who give the most, so we must stive to do good for others because then we will feel good towards ourselves.
What should be the means to our goals? The means to our goals should be the most efficient way of reaching our goals. If our means require sacrifice, then our goals must be a net gain from our beginning, lest the entire process be meaningless.
What kind of life-style should we want? We should all strive for a life-style of equality. With no one above you you cannot be envious, with no one below you you cannot show disdain. This social equilibrium would bring peace to all. A world without great happiness or great sadness would be ideal, because such emotions can blind us from reality and let our petty wants get the best of us.
How should we want to look? We should want to look in such a way that both shows and gains respect. If everyone was on the same level of how they could display themselves, more emphasis would be put on who someone is as a person, not what they have or look like.
What emotion should we express or avoid? We should not let envy or disdain cause us to stray from civility. By being civil, approachable human being we are seen as role models, and through this respect we breed more respect in those who wish to emulate us. Our basic, strong emotions should be shown with reserve. Love should be shared by all in the ideal world, whereas there would be little to hate.
What personal qualities should we relate to others? We should share with others that which they find most appealing about us and what we find most appealing about ourselves. When the world is able to share, empathy will grow and peace will envelop all.
What should be the chief aim of government? The chief aim of any governing body should be to ensure the happiness of those which it governs, such is it's responsibility. Even at the expense of other countries, there is no point to denying what the people want. Their mistakes will punish them. It is not ones purpose to do what others need, but what they want.
How should we relate to people of other societies? We should accept all of them and assimilate them amongst ourselves. If all cultures could coexist in harmony, there would be no war or conflict.
All of my answers are based on idealistic thought. None of these a practical ways of thinking in the modern world, but a world where thinking like this is universal is what we should strive for.
posted by Dave @ 5:00 AM
1 Comments:
okay wow long. really long.
What is the nature of the univeres? to answer this question would be an exersize in arrogance. The universe is in complexity beyond us. We cannot begging to understand it. We don't know its nature we barely know its basic physics.
What is the nature of people? Human nature is a sad thing. Certain individuals rise above it but he majority is this. Greed humans desire to rise above others. Ignourance, Humans hate what they do not understand, the confusion causes frustration, and then fear at a consept that is beyond them instead of admitting wrong and learning they instead discredit what they don't understand, they attack it to help themeselves. Arrogance, humans have a tendancy towards the belife that our race is superior to all other forms of existance. In almost every religion Man is said to be the God or Gods greatest creation, it is also belived that if something cannot be understood by man it is simply impossible or part of some divine force. Some exeptional human beings gain a greater understanding of higher thought, compassion, and humility before the wonders of the univers. But these people are so often ostersized in our society.
How should we view change? Change is good. Our flawed society should veiw change as a way go move closer to perfection.
How should we relate to the environment? One thing to understand is this. We cannot destroy the earth. It has been hear for an amount of time we can not even comprehend. For almost all of that time there has been life on it. Questions of the environment are not questions of whether or not we will wipe out all life, it is a question of us. What world do we want to live in. We will survive in whatever environment we create, but it will not be easiyer or more enjoyable then if we were to preserve the wonders that life has given rise to.
How should we view time? Time is a companion. If we had all the time to live we wanted nothing would hold meaning. Time reminds us to enjoy our lives because they will never come again.
How should we view space? Space, a vacuum. Emptyness complete lack of energy or matter.
What goals should we strive for? A higher society, one of compassion, rationality, and advancement. Some belive such a world can never exist. Indeed many men have been killed for even dreaming of such a place. I don't belive that a better society is impossible. Simply difficult to achieve. It is human nature to assume that simply because man has failed at something that it cannot be done.
What should be the means to our goals? It should begin with one small city state. A small society is easiyest to regulate. It is easyest to purge thoughts of facsim and ignourance that seem to be the root of all mans problems.
What kind of life-style should we want? We should strive to experience as many diverse cultures and ideas. We shoud emerse our selves in complexity and art and shun comercialized mas produced entertainment such as MTV. Experience and self betterment should drive our lives, not the petty accumulation of welf.
How should we want to look? That question holds in itself the answer. We should want to look the way each of us wants to look. We should not be bound by nonsense such as fashion and a media controled vision of beauty. We should apear as we wish to be seen.
What emotion should we express or avoid? Compassion is most important. A government must have compassion and freedom or it will not provied for all of its people. We should not shun fear, anger, or sorrow. They are part of us without our emotions we are nothing. Instead of shunning these feelings we must learn to cope with them and channel them into constructive forces.
What personal qualities should we relate to others? We should always be true to ourselves and never persecute a person for his belifes as long as they are not facistic or overly radical (eg its okay to murder people)
What should be the chief aim of government? It is the duty of any Democratic system to educate its populace. Education should be highest priority. If citizens do not understand politics they will never understand the government and thus our leaders will be ill suited to the nation's needs.
How should we relate to people of other societies? diversity is beauty. Facissim is a consept dirived from fear of that which we do not understand. We must accept others and not force them to our way of thinkng. Rather we should indulge in these differences and learn from them.
from pat
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