[MD] Problems with Intellectual control of Society

[MarshaV]

Hi Platt,

Here's a definition of compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for
another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to
alleviate the suffering.  I don't see covering up an alcoholic's  bad
behavior as necessarily a compassionate act, but a feeling of deep sympathy
and sorrow for another's suffering seems natural, whether from a disease
such as alcoholism or poverty due to illness or job loss, or a military gone
insane.  Do you think I am wrong?


Marsha   




  

-----Original Message-----
From: moq_discuss-bounces at lists.moqtalk.org
[mailto:moq_discuss-bounces at lists.moqtalk.org] On Behalf Of
plattholden at gmail.com
Sent: Friday, October 09, 2009 11:18 AM
To: moq_discuss at moqtalk.org
Subject: Re: [MD] Problems with Intellectual control of Society

On 9 Oct 2009 at 10:47, MarshaV wrote:

> Platt,
> 
> I cannot imagine how compassion has a tendency to enable self-destructive
> behavior.  Maybe you can explain.
> 
> 
> Marsha

Hi Marsha, 

The classic example is "compassionate" covering up for an alcoholic to 
"help" her maintain her good standing among friends, neighbors and 
business associates. The principle applies to many other situations 
where compassion enables continuance of self-destructive behavior. 
The largely negative results of the compassionate "War on Poverty" 
illustrates the enabling principle.

Remember Hamlet's caution to his mother, "I must be cruel only to be 
kind." Or Pirsig's observation:

"If you eliminate suffering from this world you eliminate life. There's no 
evolution. Those species that don't suffer don't survive. Suffering is the 
negative face of the Quality that drives the whole process. (Lila, 29)

Platt
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