Story Comments
Posted by: Dionys 11 months, 1 week ago
This page is a permanent archive of the comment below and its replies.
To view this comment in the context of the full discussion for the story, use this link.
-
33%
Dionys11 months, 1 week ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"There are plenty of fine examples of cooperation, generosity, even altruism among social non-human species."
Reply
True enough. But I did think we were talking human morality and ethics with regards to the radio program.
"I am a Rationalist with a smattering of Taoism, others might be Secular Humanists, or Existentialists"
But many Taoists are theists. And what is "the way" if it is not simply another name for a deity? ;)-
100%
Tangent00111 months, 1 week ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
There are two forms of Taoism, as there is with most religions. The philosophical form of Taoism looks to examples in nature to guide human behavior by analogy. For example, rocks are hard and unyielding, yet the constant flow of supple water will eventually erode the rock away, so hardness is not always best confronted by hardness. In Lao Tsu's estimation, 'The Way' is simply extant by example, to be discovered through active contemplation, not some higher power, consciousness, or force that requires worship, lays down edicts, promises rewards, or threatens punishment.
Reply
Yes, there is a 'magical' form of Taoism that seeks immortality through a kind of alchemy and reveres certain personifications of natural forces, but that is not the form to which I'm referring.
The same dichotomy exists in Buddhism. Mahayana (Zen) is much more a contemplative philosophy than a religion, while Hinayana focuses more on the 'worship' of the Buddha himself. Sufi Islam is far more internal and meditative than Shia or Sunni. Christianity has a vast range of sects, from the contemplative deism, to the actively 'magical' Santeria.-
100%
Dionys11 months, 1 week ago
-
-
100%
ForrestPhelps11 months, 1 week ago
This comment is below the standard viewing threshold View It »
"To the ignorant man, a tree is a tree, and a river is a river.
Reply
To the learned man, a tree is not a tree and a river is not a river.
To the wise man, a tree is a tree, and a river is a river - but they are not the same tree or the same river that the ignorant man sees."
-
-
-
loading ...
Ciera-Marie
juvel
memestryker
Post Reply
You are not signed in to Propeller.com. Please sign in to post a reply.