In truth, the only barometer with which to measure whether one has crossed the line is that of our own personal ethics. What does it take to live a virtuous life? Socrates is a role model for us all, and he certainly displayed a staggering loyalty to what he believed to be the good and right way to live by being prepared to die rather than live what he considered a morally bad existence. Maybe we are not prepared to follow our ethical code so fundamentally, but I believe following the theory of Kant's 'categorical imperative' is a very interesting way to move forward to define the place where this line between good and bad exists, if indeed it does. Ask yourself the question "If I act in this way, in this situation presented before me, could I universally apply this action and condone that every other human being should act this way in this very situation presented before me? If the answer is 'yes', then I am swimming above the line, but if the answer is 'no', then i am sinking beneath it."
Thank you Immanuel Kant for this swimming lesson.
For more of his ideas, visit http://www.friesian.com/kant.htm
1 comment:
It has occured to me that people are still a little 'guarded' during the lesson, people might sometimes say what they think is right and not what they truly believe. For instance, in the first lecture we were told to write down something we did that was 'bad'. Personally, I kind of picked something which was quite tame - not wanting to confess, and not wanting the new friends I had made around me to think I was a bad person!
And also - there is the student like me - I've got plenty of opinions, but am too afraid to talk....
Re: This invisible 'line' that people approach, yes, thats a good concept, same concept as 'they'. I.e. 'they say it's bad for your health' who are 'they'?
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