Solid_Raiden said:
Zucas said:
Solid_Raiden said:
Zucas said:
SmokedHostage said:
It remember it being said that(paraphazing) "One of the biggest strengths of Democracy is that everyone has a say. And one of the biggest weaknesses of Democracy is that everyone has a say." I don't know why.. but this thread made me think about that. |
Oh absolutely. Democracies have no concern for what's right. They never have. They are concerned with equality and freedome which are great but justice has to be present. Sometimes it jsut isn't because supporting the majority cancels this out a lot of the time. Ethics is probably the real problem. Starts with the family and if parents don't teach their children right and wrong then it carries through life.
I think another quote about democracy is, "A democracy's largest danger is public opinion." Conformity of the masses is always a bad thing which is usually apparent in democracies especially in America. But don't get me started on politics haha. I'll never stop talking.
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Even Democracies must give up freedoms to achieve order though. In fact when we vote for our president we are voting for the very freedoms we are willing to give up in order to achieve that order. We do this by investigating the policies of the candidates and what we lose vs. what we gain. For instance, by looking at the political parties as a whole, Democrats would rather give up some freedoms for the pursuit of equality while Republicans would have us give up some freedoms for order and protection.
To be free is to live without laws, therefore we limit our freedoms by inacting laws to protect us.
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Yes even democracies couldn't avoide the teachings of Hobbes. Absolute freedom is impossible in a world of chaos. However, I personally believe chaos can be destroyed by virtue ethics. It's the law set up by that of Aristotle who's basic principle is that ethical people will make ethical decisions. From birth ethics and justice should be the prime subjects of learning along with normal education. Teach them about the "good" as Aristotle would put it and they will be ethical people. Ethical people can live with absolute freedom devoid of a set of laws because they will do the right thing. Sure they would have the freedom to kill someone and their would be no repercussions but if they know this is unethical they won't do it.
Maybe that's just the idealist in me or maybe its a possibility. Who knows.
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That concept looks really good on paper but I believe has little worth in practice. For instance, we all go to church (at least most of us) and are raised in believing some things are evil and bad since birth and yet we still do it. We are preached that smoking is bad, drugs are bad, premarital sex is bad, but it only makes us want to do those things more. Why? Because the human being is a vile creature that seeks destruction. I believe every kid at many different times have done the exact opposite of what they were raised and preached into doing.
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Well of course it looks good on paper. I guess that's what an idealist is about haha. But for this to work, everyone has to be on the same page. If one falters, then everyone falters. I mean life is a set of choices and you have to know what choices are right. This is something that's taught and not everyone is taught it. I believe if everyone was, then it'd work. Of course this is unrealistic because it'll never happen as someone will always break the mold. It's jsut the idea of everyone doing and knowing what's right will leave to ethical decisions. Which it is becaue it's all they ever knew.
Of course this does go back to wheter you think humans are born greed, corrupt, and vile or do you think its taught. I agree with Aristotle that its taught but you seem to agree with Hobbes that it's inherited. Who knows what it is haha.
