"or example, if we conclude freedom matters and move to “apply” freedom to the design of a society, we must determine “how much freedom” we need in comparison to say “structure.” Yes, we are “applying freedom” to a society when we do not weigh it in proportion with other needs (justice, equality, etc.). If all we do is “judge” if freedom is good or not, we hardly judge at all: it is when we judge freedom in light of everything else a society needs that arguably “real thinking” begins."
this quote really stood out. as I'm seeing so much black and white thinking in our politics today ("are you for or against freedom.") as if the political/societal/cultural problems are as simple as being for or against something. framing it as comparing and judging freedom in relation to other values and weighing them against each other feels like an extremely valuable approach. thank you so much for this frame!
This was a fascinating piece!!!! I especially appreciated the points on how loving ourselves is how we have empathy for others, but especially when you pointed to the fact that it's very difficult to love ourselves because of how self-deceived we all are. And thus introspection as a way of overcoming self-deception is the key to empathy. I'm struck by the dialectic between introspection, expression and feedback from others on our expressions. These all feel necessary.
"or example, if we conclude freedom matters and move to “apply” freedom to the design of a society, we must determine “how much freedom” we need in comparison to say “structure.” Yes, we are “applying freedom” to a society when we do not weigh it in proportion with other needs (justice, equality, etc.). If all we do is “judge” if freedom is good or not, we hardly judge at all: it is when we judge freedom in light of everything else a society needs that arguably “real thinking” begins."
this quote really stood out. as I'm seeing so much black and white thinking in our politics today ("are you for or against freedom.") as if the political/societal/cultural problems are as simple as being for or against something. framing it as comparing and judging freedom in relation to other values and weighing them against each other feels like an extremely valuable approach. thank you so much for this frame!
This was a fascinating piece!!!! I especially appreciated the points on how loving ourselves is how we have empathy for others, but especially when you pointed to the fact that it's very difficult to love ourselves because of how self-deceived we all are. And thus introspection as a way of overcoming self-deception is the key to empathy. I'm struck by the dialectic between introspection, expression and feedback from others on our expressions. These all feel necessary.