What is your philosophy of life?

Mine is very simple..... ADD MEASURABLE VALUE.

I wonder how many people maybe just on the average would never even think this way because they’re so preoccupied with what is in it for them?

I see people look out for themselves to the point they hurt themselves.

It breaks my heart.

I also see people that have the ability to add measurable value but they negate the value they give by doing things that are counterproductive for hurtful to others or the company they work for.

Good post - If someone did that it would pretty much take care of a lot else. They would show up for life.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zorba
I wonder how many people maybe just on the average would never even think this way because they’re so preoccupied with what is in it for them?

I see people look out for themselves to the point they hurt themselves.

It breaks my heart.

I also see people that have the ability to add measurable value but they negate the value they offer about doing things that are counterproductive for hurtful to others or the company they work for.

Good post - If someone did that it would pretty much take care of a lot else. They would show up for life.

Providing measurable value is the result of action.... not necessarily a philosophy.
 
Providing measurable value is the result of action.... not necessarily a philosophy.

Well, it is a pretty good approach to strive to do something meaningful- In other words to have the right mindset prior to those actions. Predetermining.


I really think a lot of good comes about by good intentions, if acted on, and yours is a great one. That is the guy I’d want to see walking in to work with me.

Some people really don’t consider the effect of their actions at all, or they only do selectively.
 
You guys stay well- this guy has to get some rest-

Out til 2 am from seeing @Hog Friday, Helped an employee fund school clothes Saturday (long story) and got the truck ready for the 6 hour trip to Asheville,NC and then ran siding then met a client at 12 then more siding til 5/30 or so saturday, drove to Ashville that night, Arrived at 2am, ate with @John Cooper en rte/ slept, hung out with family Sunday in Ashville and hit the road home at 6pm, then back at work 8 am today. Worked all day, set up for siding and had to go to the hospital.

Dad moved to rehab, basically an invalid- I walked out with his belongings in a bag, bent over my passenger seat and cried my eyes out and finally got my self together to head back and get my trailer, then dropped the truck off at home and gave my buddy Clinton a ride home in my 06. Hes an awesome guy.

I knew my sister could not bear to see they move because he is not at all ready so I had to drop all and go.

Honestly seeing dad like this drained me more than all of the above. Brighter days will come.
 
Last edited:
No one is right… and no one is wrong.. each belief…. Is a belief… which is still a “opinion”… wether your a pagan or a christian.. .. its still a belief. Wether your a Democrat or republican… it’s still a belief… each side has horrible people that makes both sides sound terrible..
.. that’s why it seems that it’s people that are usually the pawn or action in each “party” or “religion”… generally people are friendly and caring… don’t believe me… watch a town get flooded.. or a town ripped to shreds by a tornado!!..

Now as to the question at the top of this thread… my philosophy is an eye for an eye..or do unto others as you would have them do unto you… I will give you my heart or all my money if it’s necessary… or I will hold both your legs as I pitch you into the river!!

Kinda kidding about the last statement but you understand
 
Last edited:
Sigh...

Here we go again...

Our nation was NOT founded on "Christian principles" - more like "universal principles". Indeed, the first people to come here were Christians fleeing other Christians. Christians didn't invent our principles, they mostly came from Plato and he didn't invent them either. And EVERYTHING is relative to something else, NOTHING is absolute - on this plane of existence at least.

I'll be the first to admit that I have significant problems with Christianity, some of its so-called "morals", parts of its theology, most of its doctrines, and virtually all of its dogma - just as I do with ANY form of monotheism. Being completely honest here, and not trying to put Chris, or anyone else, down. It gets tiresome when Christians claim they invented "everything" when they didn't, esp. after 2,000 years of bad history. The principles so often touted as "Christian" have been around since long before Jesus was a gleam in Joseph's eye - i.e. from the dawn of philosophy.

I certainly do NOT want to live in a "Christian Nation", I want to live in an ETHICAL Nation, and that concept flew the coop about 15 minutes after the constitution was signed unfortunately - its been chipped away at from all angles ever since.

Well said @Zorba!

I get a kick when Christians suggest that "morals" are somehow inherent to Christianity, despite >2000 years of evidence to the contrary. Though, when you think about it, it isn't very surprising; many of the folks that suggest we "put the Christ back in Christmas" don't realize that the majority of the holidays that are celebrated by Christians are nothing more than repackaged holidays anyways (not that I blame them, why reinvent the wheel).

If we made a Venn diagram of all the "morals" by all the world's religions, current and historical, we can easily see that the overwhelming majority of what many would consider to be a modern set of morals has roots as old as civilization itself. Just a few years ago, anthropologists studied 60 cultures around the world and showed that they shared 7 key "moral rules". In summary, they are:

1) help your family​
2) help your group (aka community)​
3) return favours​
4) be brave​
5) defer to superiors​
6) divide resources fairly​
7) respect others’ property​

The best part of the study to me is the fact that there wasn't a single culture that they studied that viewed any of the above "morals" as "bad". Although it's been ~20 years since I've taken my last religious studies class, I can still give a few dozen quotes from religious texts that can easily fit into one of the above "boxes". Morals are indeed universal to humanity, though when we study primates and other high functioning mammals, it becomes clear to see that they may not be as exclusive as we think.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zorba and TRE3TOP
Well said @Zorba!

I get a kick when Christians suggest that "morals" are somehow inherent to Christianity, despite >2000 years of evidence to the contrary. Though, when you think about it, it isn't very surprising; many of the folks that suggest we "put the Christ back in Christmas" don't realize that the majority of the holidays that are celebrated by Christians are nothing more than repackaged holidays anyways (not that I blame them, why reinvent the wheel).

If we made a Venn diagram of all the "morals" by all the world's religions, current and historical, we can easily see that the overwhelming majority of what many would consider to be a modern set of morals has roots as old as civilization itself. Just a few years ago, anthropologists studied 60 cultures around the world and showed that they shared 7 key "moral rules". In summary, they are:

1) help your family​
2) help your group (aka community)​
3) return favours​
4) be brave​
5) defer to superiors​
6) divide resources fairly​
7) respect others’ property​

The best part of the study to me is the fact that there wasn't a single culture that they studied that viewed any of the above "morals" as "bad". Although it's been ~20 years since I've taken my last religious studies class, I can still give a few dozen quotes from religious texts that can easily fit into one of the above "boxes". Morals are indeed universal to humanity, though when we study primates and other high functioning mammals, it becomes clear to see that they may not be as exclusive as we think.
Agreed. At the risk of sounding like a semanticist, I don't care for the word "morals", preferring "ethics" instead. All too often "morals" are arbitrary religious rules that are not necessarily "universal" - see the "10 Commandments" for a good example: some are universal, some are peculiar to Abrahamic monotheism. I generally don't care for moralists as they usually carp about their particular religion's rules that don't apply to those outside said religion - but that is exactly what I've come to expect from absolutists.

The bottom line is that I don't care what your religion is, as long as you apply it to YOURSELF, and not try to apply it to others - monotheistic religions are particularly bad in this regard, its built into the system. With that said, I certainly know plenty of monotheists of various types who actually show ETHICS, and do NOT try to force their belief system onto others - the founding fathers were such. Hell, I'm married to a Christian, and the pastor of her Church is another - he recognizes his religion's bad history and transcends it - I admire the man. Its a UMC break-off Church, who is separating from the main UMC over "Wokeness", yet at the same time do not profess the "Christian Nation" crap. That's as it should be!

The "Godfather" would approve of #3 in your list above! ;) There are plenty of "lists" like that floating around, most of them are good to great advice. I mostly subscribe to the "42 rules of Ma'at" but - like the 10 Commandments - it has both "universal ethics" as well as "religion-specific" guidelines. I think its fantastic, but I don't advocate carving it onto granite slabs at courthouses in Alabama - or anywhere else in the public sphere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pc1p
No one is right… and no one is wrong.. each belief…. Is a belief… which is still a “opinion”… wether your a pagan or a christian.. .. its still a belief. Wether your a Democrat or republican… it’s still a belief… each side has horrible people that makes both sides sound terrible..
.. that’s why it seems that’s it’s people that are usually the pawn or action in each “party” or “religion”… generally people are friendly and caring… don’t believe me… watch a town get flooded.. or a town ripped to shreds by a tornado!!..

Now as to the gyration at the top of this thread… my philosophy is an eye for an eye..or do unto others as you would have them do unto you… I will give you my heart or all my money if it’s necessary… or I will hold both your legs as I pitch you into the river!!

Kinda kidding about the last statement but you understand
EXACTLY! That's why "beliefs" should NOT be codified into laws - I don't want to be forced to obey laws based on other people's opinions. Which is EXACTLY what the Left is doing now! They've got their religion, and have learned from the Right how to shove it down everyone's throats.

Now I'll confuse the entire board with this statement: The Christ was incarnated on the Earth to bring the concept of Forgiveness, to replace the ancient eye-for-an-eye ideal. Which isn't to say that at times the latter still doesn't have its place!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hog and pc1p
No one is right… and no one is wrong.. each belief…. Is a belief… which is still a “opinion”… wether your a pagan or a christian.. .. its still a belief. Wether your a Democrat or republican… it’s still a belief… each side has horrible people that makes both sides sound terrible..
.. that’s why it seems that’s it’s people that are usually the pawn or action in each “party” or “religion”… generally people are friendly and caring… don’t believe me… watch a town get flooded.. or a town ripped to shreds by a tornado!!..

Now as to the gyration at the top of this thread… my philosophy is an eye for an eye..or do unto others as you would have them do unto you… I will give you my heart or all my money if it’s necessary… or I will hold both your legs as I pitch you into the river!!

Kinda kidding about the last statement but you understand

He knows that the best philosophy of life is just to hang out more with me😂😂😂
 
Agreed. At the risk of sounding like a semanticist, I don't care for the word "morals", preferring "ethics" instead. All too often "morals" are arbitrary religious rules that are not necessarily "universal" - see the "10 Commandments" for a good example: some are universal, some are peculiar to Abrahamic monotheism. I generally don't care for moralists as they usually carp about their particular religion's rules that don't apply to those outside said religion - but that is exactly what I've come to expect from absolutists.

I hear ya - and no need to worry with me, I'm one of the few that understands (and appreciates) the subtle nuances of semantics and colloquialisms, plus how they can affect change over time.

Fair point about "morals" being adopted by many religious groups (though this conversation has me thinking about the many "ethics policies" at various companies and organizations I've worked for). I know many people use those two words synonymously (including Cicero himself!), but for me, and perhaps this has been shaped by my academic studies on the subject more than anything, I do define them differently.

My definition of "ethics" is specific to individual actions, behaviors, or choices. Morals on the other hand are more widely-shared beliefs common across community, culture, or societal norms or expectations. Basically, "morals" are the customs of a group/society/culture and "ethics" is the character of the individuals within those groups.

Morals are more broadly applicable and could be applied to any situation. Something like "always tell the truth" is applicable (generally) across every situation a person could encounter. Ethics on the other hand are more situationally specific and up to the person. For example, if your wife asks if a dress makes her butt look fat, or if your toddler asks if their drawing of a penguin is pretty, you may chose to ignore your moral compass for a moment and make an ethical decision :)
 
EXACTLY! That's why "beliefs" should NOT be codified into laws - I don't want to be forced to obey laws based on other people's opinions. Which is EXACTLY what the Left is doing now! They've got their religion, and have learned from the Right how to shove it down everyone's throats.

Now I'll confuse the entire board with this statement: The Christ was incarnated on the Earth to bring the concept of Forgiveness, to replace the ancient eye-for-an-eye ideal. Which isn't to say that at times the latter still doesn't have its place!

And just to reiterate…. You started again with this left and right thing…. They are the same dam people!!!! They just want to be in power and make the rules!!!…if you were in power you would call me a racist for wanting to build a wall … but then you would build a wall and say it to keep the people crossing the border safe from crossing in those areas!!!! either side… doesn’t matter… the shit they “do” while in power effects less then 5 percent of the population…nothing has changed in the past 40 years… we go thru a recession… we come out of a recession… men are trying to get hired on at hooters… trannys are trying to get into sororities….. minorities are repressed… Russia wants to get in a war… we’ve had global warming for 50 years…
 
My definition of "ethics" is specific to individual actions, behaviors, or choices. Morals on the other hand are more widely-shared beliefs common across community, culture, or societal norms or expectations. Basically, "morals" are the customs of a group/society/culture and "ethics" is the character of the individuals within those groups.
:)
If that is indeed the case, small wonder I have little truck with moralists. Culture can be a beautiful thing. It can also be VERY ugly - but it very seldom has much connection with ultimate truth. I fly in the face of culture, "norms" and expectations every damn day. There are moralists who would, and do, object to that. Too damn bad. Mrs Grundy can go pound sand as far as I'm concerned.

Ethics - to my mind - asks "Who gets hurt?" or at least "How can I do the least harm?" Thorny questions that have been debated for millennia, and I certainly don't have the answers. But I do know that the answers aren't to be found in the rule books of moralists, nor in laws, rules or regulations. All such are imperfect attempts to codify the uncodifiable: Ethics!

Morals are more broadly applicable and could be applied to any situation. Something like "always tell the truth" is applicable (generally) across every situation a person could encounter.
Which shows how something like this is RELATIVE because:
For example, if your wife asks if a dress makes her butt look fat, or if your toddler asks if their drawing of a penguin is pretty, you may chose to ignore your moral compass for a moment and make an ethical decision :)
An absolutist wouldn't do this, and also illustrates the importance of Ethics and shows "Morals" as being inadequate.

Good conversation!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Hog and pc1p
And just to reiterate…. You started again with this left and right thing…. They are the same dam people!!!! They just want to be in power and make the rules!!!…if you were in power you would call me a racist for wanting to build a wall … but then you would build a wall and say it to keep the people crossing the border safe from crossing in those areas!!!! either side… doesn’t matter… the shit they “do” while in power effects less then 5 percent of the population…nothing has changed in the past 40 years… we go thru a recession… we come out of a recession… men are trying to get hired on at hooters… trannys are trying to get into sororities….. minorities are repressed… Russia wants to get in a war… we’ve had global warming for 50 years…

See "Horseshoe theory" - you're absolutely right which is why I have little use for either the Left or the Right. I like to say that they're both 1/3rd right, and 2/3rds wrong.
 
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Hog and pc1p
If that is indeed the case, small wonder I have little truck with moralists. Culture can be a beautiful thing. It can also be VERY ugly - but it very seldom has much connection with ultimate truth. I fly in the face of culture, "norms" and expectations every damn day. There are moralists who would, and do, object to that. Too damn bad. Mrs Grundy can go pound sand as far as I'm concerned.
Maybe I should have been more clear when I said "culture, norms and expectations" - I was referring to them in the sense of good vs. bad (morals) and right vs. wrong (ethics). Culture, particularly in the broader definition, is an extremely diverse concept that encompases all that it means to be part of humanity (from a larger, societal/communal viewpoint). As you said, culture in this use can be (and is!) extremely beautiful, though there are certainly very ugly corners.

Ethics - to my mind - asks "Who gets hurt?" or at least "How can I do the least harm?" Thorny questions that have been debated for millennia, and I certainly don't have the answers. But I do know that the answers aren't to be found in the rule books of moralists, nor in laws, rules or regulations. All such are imperfect attempts to codify the uncodifiable: Ethics!
An interesting approach and certainly agree with your assessment that the answers, if answerable, would never be found in a rule book written by humans.

And to be clear, I agree that "ethics" are* more important, fundamentally and from a societal standpoint, than* any "morals", published or otherwise.

Good conversation!

Agreed! :)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Zorba
And to be clear, I agree that "ethics" is more important, fundamentally and from a societal standpoint, that any "morals", published or otherwise.
It gets particularly bad when people start worshiping their BOOKs instead of their Deity(ies) the BOOK is supposedly inspired by.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pc1p
My philosophy in life now is leave me the f*** alone and I'll leave you alone if I see you at circle k you say something I'll talk to you but I have no use for neighbors stay on your own land we'll get along just fine.

I don't need friends and I don't want friends I have my family and that's more than enough.