THE DUALITY OF PEOPLE

A bold statement to start: “there is a strange duality in people which makes for an ethical paradox”…and now I will try to explain what I mean.

We all have definitions of good qualities and of bad; not changing things but generally considered good and bad across the eons of time. Of good, we think of wisdom, tolerance, kindliness, generosity and humility. Of bad, we think of cruelty, greed and self-interest, all of which are bad.

However, consider the structure of our society; the so-called ‘good’ elements are invariably linked with failure whilst the ‘bad’ are associated as being the cornerstones of success. A man, whilst loving the abstract ‘good’ qualities and detest the abstract ‘bad’ will nevertheless envy and admire those who, through possessing the ‘bad’ has succeeded economically and socially and at the same time hold in contempt those whose ‘good’ have caused failure.

SO, can I say we would rather be successful than good? (I leave you to answer for yourself).

Perhaps no other species is torn between such alternatives; man might quite likely be described adequately (if simply) as:

A two-legged paradox

Few, if any, have become accustomed to the ‘tragic miracle’ of consciousness – perhaps in us as a species this has not yet ‘jelled’ – maybe with time it will, but we will have to cut past the boundary of our physical memories in order to pass through struggle and survival, and to be limited in our future by the uneasiness of thought and consciousness….

I am hopeful, but fully aware of ‘we are what we are’…

Until next time (aiming to be a ‘good’ failure?),

Peripatetic Scribe