From: phufk@csv.warwick.ac.uk (Mr B Thomson)
Newsgroups: alt.cyberpunk
Subject: Re: Perhaps we have forgotten the teachings of Jesus
Keywords: golden rule
Date: 21 Nov 92 20:52:51 GMT
Organization: Computing Services, University of Warwick, UK
NNTP-Posting-Host: lily.csv.warwick.ac.uk


 I think that there is some confusion over the teachings of Christianity here,
with repect to ethical philosophies.

 The "golden rule" that you are discussing seems to stem from certain themes in
the Old Testament, including ideas such as "an eye for an eye and a tooth for
a tooth."  As Ghandi said, if you go round with this sort of attitude, everyone
is going to end up blind.  :)

 I seem to recall that Jesus doesn`t actuually make an appearance in the Bible
until the New Testament and the moral philosophy seems to change somewhat
thereafter.

 Obviously, the Bible is open to interpretation, but I understand the Christian
"golden rule" to be something along the lines of "Love everyone
unconditionally".  I think this has several advantages over the much discussed
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or "Do not do unto others
as you would not have them not do unto you".
 Firstly, it seems to be a far less selfish maxim on the whole.  Only treating
someone in a certain way, merely becase that is the way you would have others
treat you does not deal with the problem that deep inside you may resent your
actions.
 This brings me to the second advantage - Actions should be carried out on the
basis of feelings and emotions (such as Agape love [look it up in a Greek
disctionary!]) and rational decision on the spur of each moment, and even the
idea of having any laws by which one should live their life is authoritarian
and can work against this philosophy (Yeah, I know the 10 Commandments are a
bit of a problem here, but they were in the OT).
 Perhaps a better idea wouuld be a "golden theme" something along the lines of
"Act so as to maximise Agape love, and then what you will, do".  A famos
philosopher once said this, but I can`t remember who.

 I don't claim to have put an end to this argument in any way at all, bt I do
hope that I have added something useful to it.  I must say that I was srprised
to find cyberpunks discussing the application of laws, I always understood the
culture to be relatively antinomianistic in nature.

I don't suppose anyone can point me in the direction of some CP literature that
deals with the philosophical beyond the mere scratching at the surface that
most stuff seems to do.
 Philosophy over the last couple of centuries has been heavily influenced by
science and technology (e.g. empiricism and logical positivism), surely the
near future holds an abndance of philosophical problems unleashed from behind
the mirrorshades. --- ideas???

 Please note that the above philosophy is not necessarily that of the author
and is only his interpretation of various bits and pieces.  It is certainly
open to criticsim.

			"What shall I do?"
			"Enlighten them."
				- Greg Bear (Petra)

THE THINKIN' DUDE

aka Benny T------------------------------------------------------------------
Apologies:
1) for any missing letter `U's in this post, bt my U key keeps flaking ot on me
2) to the poor guy who I accidentally mailed a `preview' of this post to.

CARPE DIEM, QUAM MINIMUM CREDULA POSTERO.
Newsgroups: alt.cyberpunk