tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post1430720557900614577..comments2024-03-29T03:19:09.227-04:00Comments on The Philosopher's Stone: CATCHING UPRobert Paul Wolffhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-28408683801010429062013-11-16T20:27:43.640-05:002013-11-16T20:27:43.640-05:00As an answer to the challenge Michael posed, Chris...As an answer to the challenge Michael posed, Chris' "Wall Street CEOs" counter-example (comments 10:04 and 10:08 AM, November 15) seems stronger than your reply here.<br /><br />In Chris's example, even if individuals have large influence, they have no permanent effect on "the system" (which we evaluate negatively): <br /><br />"All the CEOs would be replaced and the system would keep on trucking in nearly identical fashion."<br /><br />That, in Chris' example, follows from the system's assumed own logic. Morality/ethics seem irrelevant.<br /><br />-----------<br /><br />In your reply, however, individuals apparently can have a lasting effect on the system, even if their individual influences are often "marginal". <br /><br />Indeed, you point at Bill Gates as an example of someone able to individually influence the system in a permanent and appreciable manner.<br /><br />Whether these individuals choose to exercise their influence (and to what extent they exercise it) seems a matter of ethical/moral judgment: the system apparently has no own internal logic and appeals to ethics, morality and solidarity could make all the difference.Magpiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07528637318288802178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-22126087421814243312013-11-16T14:56:52.159-05:002013-11-16T14:56:52.159-05:00Dr. Wolff,
Verse 22 reminds me of Andrew Carnegie...Dr. Wolff,<br /><br />Verse 22 reminds me of Andrew Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth". Carnegie's "Gospel of Wealth" seems to address the problem of the rich young man. I think Carnegie believed you had a different responsibility if you are mega rich than if you are just well off.Michael Llenoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689105280485818465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-26069801647853476122013-11-16T14:17:26.419-05:002013-11-16T14:17:26.419-05:00I started at Matthew 19:16, but the money quote, a...I started at Matthew 19:16, but the money quote, as they say in the blogs, is from verses 21-22. I especially like verse 22!Robert Paul Wolffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11970360952872431856noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-53853939031094392872013-11-16T13:29:26.257-05:002013-11-16T13:29:26.257-05:00Dr. Wolff,
I re-read your quotes and I guess your...Dr. Wolff,<br /><br />I re-read your quotes and I guess your first quote was 19:16 and not 19:17. Sorry for the goof.Michael Llenoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689105280485818465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-11256061279256888832013-11-16T13:16:34.222-05:002013-11-16T13:16:34.222-05:00Dr. Wolff,
Please excuse me for the advertising. ...Dr. Wolff,<br /><br />Please excuse me for the advertising. I just thought it was neat that your first quote was Matthew 19:17.Michael Llenoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689105280485818465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5687347459208158501.post-61731674464924172632013-11-16T13:12:21.854-05:002013-11-16T13:12:21.854-05:00Dr. Wolff,
I actually thought up my very own onto...Dr. Wolff,<br /><br />I actually thought up my very own ontological argument last month based on Jesus' words in Matthew 19:17. Small world it is.<br /><br />--Anselm: nothing greater can be conceived.<br /><br />--Descartes: perfection includes existence.<br /><br />--Spinoza: self causation.<br /><br />--Mine: I have it copyrighted, so please excuse me for not putting it here. It's at the end of Part III of my philosophy book.Michael Llenoshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05689105280485818465noreply@blogger.com