Doin what comes naturally

[coberst]

Doin what comes naturally

I think that one of the most egregious informal fallacies we Americans are bombarded with is prescriptions camouflaged as descriptions. The value of education lay in its monetary value, GDP is an accurate measure of a nation’s accomplishment, the environment is not an issue in the Corporate bottom line, well-being is the Corporate bottom line, the Corporation is responsible only to their share holders, health care in America is the best, CEO pay is meritocracy in action, etc. These are all understood as descriptions of reality rather than being the prescriptions of those who profit by such things.

I am claiming that we are led to accept as truism that it is “natural” for education to be valued in dollars, a GDP growth of 4% is a measure of the nation’s well-being, Corporations are not responsible for the environment, CEOs get the big bucks because they are what make the institution successful, etc. That which is ‘natural’ is accepted without question. In such a milieu we easily accept the hurricane as a description of why the poor have lost everything in New Orleans. An examination will, I think, disclose that the poor were doomed to such a happening by the ordination of the powerful over past decades.

Describing the status quo as natural and universal is an effective means for maintaining the status quo. I am claiming that the status quo is described as natural and universal, when in fact the status quo is ordained by the “Wizard”. “Follow the money” is a useful tactic for discovering those who are the elements of the “Wizard”.

What is the logical consequence to our planet when the world economy must grow every year?

[Brutha]

I am claiming that we are led to accept as truism that it is “natural” for education to be valued in dollars,

Who is 'we'?

[coberst]

Originally Posted by Brutha

Who is 'we'?

We is us they is them. We wear the white hats and they wear the black hats. Keep that in mind and we never need to worry.

[Brutha]

We could mean the small group of coberst and Brutha or it could mean every lifeform on earth.

What does the word "natural" even mean for human made things like states or societies if you don't equate it with "as God intented it" or "as generally accepted"?

If you don't know what you mean with the words you use, you aren't saying anything.

[coberst]

Originally Posted by Brutha

We could mean the small group of coberst and Brutha or it could mean every lifeform on earth.

What does the word "natural" even mean for human made things like states or societies if you don't equate it with "as God intented it" or "as generally accepted"?

If you don't know what you mean with the words you use, you aren't saying anything.

My God do I have to define all my words. Natural means being in accordance with nature. By we I mean Americans.

[coberst]

The logical consequence of an ever expanding economy is the consumption of the planet.

[ogrekilleat]

I am claiming that we are led to accept as truism that it is “natural” for education to be valued in dollars

I agree but I'd go further and say that what we accept is that anything is "naturally" measured in monetary value.

We accept this on the surface, but we instinctively but unconsciously know that money is intrinsically valueless. So ultimately, we come to believe that everything is essentially valueless.

Then you have what we have: people are constantly asking themselves how they can get stuff for free, no matter what it's really worth. That's why so many people won't pay for music anymore.

There are food riots happening in several countries because people can't afford to buy food, but here in America you can still read articles on msn.com about how to get your groceries for free, as if groceries weren't worth paying for. As if eating had no value--and it doesn't, once you accept that the only value is monetary and that money's just a way of keeping score.

The logical consequence of an ever expanding economy is the consumption of the planet.

Again, I fully agree. I've never been able to understand our constant drive to progress. Where do we think we're progressing to? Is there a goal? Do we really think the economy can grow infinitely? We does it bother us so much when the economy is only "growing sluggishly"?

[Brutha]

My God do I have to define all my words.

In the other thread you wanted to promote critical thinking. Part of critical thinking is to have a specific thesis.

By we I mean Americans.

You could also have meant the people who discuss in this forum. Halve of those aren't Americans (myself included).

Natural means being in accordance with nature.

That statement is empty.
I still don't know which criteria a human made state has to have to be from your perspective 'natural'.

A lot of people don't call human made things natural.

[Plato]

I agree. It is my humble opinion that capitalism, demoncracy and ultimately liberalism will have to be overthrown or we will destroy the planet and ourselves.

[schola]

Originally Posted by Plato

I agree. It is my humble opinion that capitalism, demoncracy and ultimately liberalism will have to be overthrown or we will destroy the planet and ourselves.

What do you propose we replace them with?