After reading the responses, I think I should rephrase what I said about validity. It was late when I first started this thread and reading it again, I don't really like how I phrased it, especially after reading some of the responses because some things really rang a bell.
Here's a new definition. Every opinion is valid: This means that I should treat individuals where there opinion is a valid one to have and that just because it differs from mine or I disagree with it strongly, does not mean they are not allow to have that opinion. I should try to do this because it promotes mutual respect, makes me feel better about myself as I feel that I'm giving everyone their fair shake, and it may change my actions so that they are less harmful to others.
That sounds confusing but I'm trying to skirt the issue of rights because I agree with what Future's Origin is saying about rights. I also like what Future's Origin said about respect but it certainly raises a whole new set of questions for me. Here's where I'm going with this: we should strive to respect all individuals regardless of their opinions, character etc, but the goal to be objective is impossible from a subjective viewpoint so we can never really achieve this.
So doesn't that mean the effort is futile? What benefit does this act actually give us? Does it make us feel better about ourselves by thinking we're trying not to judge people?
Maybe, but doesn't judgment typically lead to action (whether good or bad) and by trying to recognize when we're being judgmental might we be able to prevent harmful actions coming from judgment? I mean can you actually separate actions from judgment so that hypothetically I can disagree with racism etc, while still not reacting differently to those people in some way? (by differently I mean subconsciously making a negative judgment about them).
I guess if we look at this from true subjective reality perspective, then really only matters what I think about my actions, and then doing things purely because they make me feel better about myself is all I can do and other people will view it however they want...and...my brain hurts...lol
I think I've just talked myself into another logical paradox. I'm not actually bothered by this because I try to keep my articles for my magazine more grounded, even the philosophical ones. This is because I believe that although philosophy is great, but n the end, if it doesn't drastically change our actions in the world, then its just talk. Therefore if logical paradoxes exist, I can deal with that as it doesn't necessarily effect my actions.
Still, with this idea, I didn't want to talk myself into something that would lead me to obvious contradictions with things I believe/promote and so I appreciate the discussion.
Thanks for the responses everyone, this is quite an interesting topic, I may have to delay my article to hear more of what you all think. It probably doesn't matter what I say as long as I don't promote anything overtly harmful to others and that discussing this isn't really worthwhile, but its still fun to debate and hear other opinions.
Oh and sorry for the somewhat long and rambling post, I hope it's not too confusing. |