It appears that people, generally, want others to believe as they do. Theists, atheists, agnostics, Republicans, Democrats, all belief systems, political systems, etc., et al. There is constant friction between disparate philosophies. Everyone is constantly striving to prove that they are right and all who don't believe as they do are wrong.
Our resources are limited and we waste them with incessant conflict.
Should mankind give up their individuality and co-operate fully with one another for collective gain?
Would the sacrifice be worth the reward or would we still end up with the master/slave, royalty/serf relationship that we have now and always have had?
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I think a problem may be is because everybody in their mind think they're right, and not open to change that. And because everybody wants to show everybody something thats "right", they might be bound to push their thoughs or whatever on people.
There are both positives and negatives to both taking individuality away from everyone, and letting everybody have their own opinion. I don't think this question is answerable, sadly.
@ Stu. K.
I believe the answer to be allowing everyone to have their own opinion. However, everyone would have to agree.
The problem is that to achieve something it is not enough to be right on the subject.
You have to be able to convince enough people so something gets done about it.
Unfortunately the world still works with the phrase:
Survival of the fittest.
And the fittest in a democratic society are the ones with power.
The only way to have power is to convince enough people to support you.
People who are right use reason to do so, people who are wrong use other means like fallacies, brainwashing, half truths, greed, deceit and lies.
@ Jeff Vella Leone
"People who are right use reason to do so, people who are wrong use other means like fallacies, brainwashing, half truths, greed, deceit and lies."
That's true but people who do use reason seldom call them out for their "fallacies, brainwashing, half truths, greed, deceit and lies."
Though usually in practice what happens is that it does not matter how right you are, the victor writes history so the phrase, "the end justifies the means" is what usually happens in a corrupt democratic country.
"Democratic country" is an interesting phrase. I've often heard democracy defined as two wolves and a lamb deciding on what's for dinner.
I'm not certain that here can be or for that matter ever was an uncorrupted democracy. Nor is there any other form of government that is or has been uncorrupted. The meme that there has to be one person presiding over the rest is ridiculous to me.
I agree, in fact democracy is an illusion, it is always the rich and powerful who decide what gets done.
The fact that nothing was ever done to reduce corruption is evidence of this.
Letting the uneducated to chose a leader which can be easily swayed with enough money thrown in propaganda is an obvious method of control and defuse the blame when their(the elite) doings are disastrous.
(it is an ancient method used by Julius Caesar himself to become emperor and God(gain the support of the people through propaganda), so the elite just copied it)
What napoleon's revolution showed is that the aristocracy will eventually be destroyed by the people when the aristocrats make mistakes, so democracy enters the scene to act as a pansy soon after, so the people are blamed for their choices(no choice at all) and the elite can keep the control from the shadows by funding and controlling both major political parties.
There is another lesson to Napoleon's revolution. Several in fact.
The self-interested elite will always herd up to maintain the status quo.
and.........
"The price of liberty is eternal vigilance." ~ Thomas Jefferson
Haven't heard that one before, thanks.
I'm the donkey from animal farm. "Nothing ever changes"
@Vincent Paul Tran
A self fulfilling prophecy.
Absolutely not! The only way to evolve socially is to reap the benefits of expressive individualism.
At all times stand up for what you believe in. Self-reliance is our greatest ally.
Well said.
@Anser "Theists, atheists, agnostics, Republicans, Democrats, all belief systems, political systems, etc., et al."
Is atheism a belief system too? Because I thought it was not. But yeah, I also have asked the same questions to myself.
That's a good question. I can only tell you what conclusion I came to.
I believe in personal liberty. That liberty includes but is not limited to freedom from being brainwashed. I'm very sensitive to religions, political systems and political parties who would take that liberty away.
Atheism, anti-theism, agnosticism are not trying to take that liberty away. Does that mean I believe in atheism, et al? No, I believe in personal liberty. The right to think and do as I will, without interference, as long as I hurt no other.
I agree. Thanks for clarifying it.
I knew I saw the right video for this, finally found it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJ2LehsA1dk