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Moral dilemma


marrickvilleboy

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My friend is a philosophy professor at a Norwegian university. When we get drunk, he always quotes our favourite master of thinking, professor Edward De Bono:

"Philosophy is the use of inadequate words to explain things we will never understand"

BTW, I

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For me the issue raised is not the choice between turning a friend in or not turning a friend in. It is whether people are motivated and act based on their internal value hierarchy or whether external forces move them to action. I believe that people act based on their own internal value hierarchy at all times and that people follow what I call the for ever ... for now prerogative. For ever ... for now means ... "These are what my values are for ever but only for for right now and I can change them any time I want".

... and this what I believe I know for ever ... for now.

It has been a very long time since I had to tackle something like this. I wrote four paragraphs on this before synthesizing it to the one above and I still am not completely satisfied with my interpretation. Cheers

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Ok you guys, The Moment of Truth has arrived:

http://www.4degreez.com/misc/dante-inferno-test.mv

Sheesh.

I expected this thread to be full of zinga-zing-zing insight when I returned. There's only this little test to enjoy -- how ever silly it was. E.g.:

"Do you have any pagan religious beliefs?"

Yes, I throw salt over my left shoulder when I spill it, etc. But this question would be answered with a Yes by a santeria practitioner, who slaughters chickens for their "beliefs". It's way too broad.

The result...I'm going to!

Fourth Level of Hell

Just before the river Styx is the Fourth Level of Hell. Here, the prodigal and the avaricious suffer their punishment, as they roll weights back and forth against one another. You will share eternal damnation with others who either wasted and lived greedily and insatiably, or who stockpiled their fortunes, hoarding everything and sharing nothing. Plutus, the wolf-like demon of wealth, dwells here.

Click on this Flash site. It will give your Level more meaning.

http://web.eku.edu/flash/inferno/

There's a shock. Turns out I'm a Hoarder and a Waster.

hoarderwasterdh4.jpg

Well, sheeeeeee.

Anyone who has ever seen my rep watch and strap collection, knows THAT. But I'll be damned to the Fifth Level at least, if I don't share my goodies with folks! :disguise2:

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And I might go on...

Better not.

No, it's all right. We're just talking. :)

I am not one to take anything personally, how ever much I disagree with you on this one, Sssurfer. :wub:

That test is similar to the famous one where college students were put into a room, and told to adjust a k.nob. In the other room was a person hooked up to (fake) electrodes or similar. These cried out in utter agony every time the test subject turned up the current.

This tested why we follow orders, even though we know our actions cause physical pain to others, right? A very interesting exercise, with all kinds of Twentieth Century implications (non-Nazis and non-Communists following "orders", etc.).

I think the implication is that we do it to save ourselves, from "repercussions" -- bad grades, being blamed for something, or just hoping we're not "next".

But your actions have consequences, no matter what.

In Medical School, the first two years in the US are about gross anatomy and diseases. But I also got a session in Medical Ethics. One question posed was the following:

"Two men have just been rushed to the ER. You know one is a police officer who has taken a bullet in defense of others. The other patient is a long-time violent criminal, who has the exact same wound. There is only one operating theatre available, and you're the only attending available. All things being equal, it's your call as a physician: who do you treat first? The other will die waiting."

This was posed in open discussion, so I got to hear others' answers. Most chose the policeman, of course. I did too.

A few chose the criminal, since they reasoned the policeman knew the risks doing his duty, whereas one should save the criminal, to stand trial for his latest crimes.

Marrickvilleboy, at the end there was no right response, the prof said. He just wanted us to think about ourselves, our actions, and motives, although it was more "real" than your class. These things MIGHT have happened to me had I stayed the course.

Anyhoo, nice thread. A parting shot:

Philosophy means to me, exploring the unexpected with the unknown. ^_^

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Sheesh.

I expected this thread to be full of zinga-zing-zing insight when I returned. There's only this little test to enjoy -- how ever silly it was. E.g.:

"Do you have any pagan religious beliefs?"

Yes, I throw salt over my left shoulder when I spill it, etc. But this question would be answered with a Yes by a santeria practitioner, who slaughters chickens for their "beliefs". It's way too broad.

The result...I'm going to!

Fourth Level of Hell

Just before the river Styx is the Fourth Level of Hell. Here, the prodigal and the avaricious suffer their punishment, as they roll weights back and forth against one another. You will share eternal damnation with others who either wasted and lived greedily and insatiably, or who stockpiled their fortunes, hoarding everything and sharing nothing. Plutus, the wolf-like demon of wealth, dwells here.

Click on this Flash site. It will give your Level more meaning.

http://web.eku.edu/flash/inferno/

There's a shock. Turns out I'm a Hoarder and a Waster.

hoarderwasterdh4.jpg

Well, sheeeeeee.

Anyone who has ever seen my rep watch and strap collection, knows THAT. But I'll be damned to the Fifth Level at least, if I don't share my goodies with folks! :disguise2:

A great and interesting link.

Yes, I throw salt over my left shoulder when I spill it, etc. But this question would be answered with a Yes by a santeria practitioner, who slaughters chickens for their "beliefs". It's way too broad.

Tossing salt to practicing Santeria ... now that is a contrast in Pagan practice. :lol:

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I got Purgatory as well :lol:

WHAT!! Both of you get to fiddle your time in relative comfort, whereas I'm practically living in the Devil's Anus??? :cc_confused:

Cripes. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I have never done drugs, I'm not a promiscuous girl. And I only accidentally look at porn (what can I say -- that Looney Bin is hard to find). :innocent:

How fair is that??!! Dante sucks!

infernochart.gif

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WHAT!! Both of you get to fiddle your time in relative comfort, whereas I'm practically living in the Devil's Anus??? :cc_confused:

I have to admit, I was surprized with my result, but, I think the fact I read scripture, have faith in God, and don't plan on repeating my past missdeeds, must have swung the result in my favor :lol:

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Ok, I finally found time to do my Inferno test at last (I was not aware it just took 10 mins).

Result: 2nd level of Hell (stat=1&xyz=14).

At first I got disappointed, IMO.

What, a mere 2nd level? Me??

Then I saw it was even better than most other levels. Type: Lustful. Score: Extreme. Mmmm, delicious.

Then I saw there was another Extreme level: Heretics. Mmmm, maybe even better?

I thought a little on whether I would prefer to be Lustful or Heretic.

Cannot I be both? I actually am!, I screamed.

Then it came to my mind that as Heretics are often supposed to retain an even tiny bit of religion (their brand new religion, I mean), then I am no doubt Lustful rather than Heretic.

I suppose that it was that question about astrology, tarot cards, and fortune-telling, that got me unmasked.

Thanks Rya for the great website!

Now please you all forgive me, I have to check that New Dating Quiz... :innocent:

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