Your “should” questions in their current form are invalid unless we are to assume that you have implied that it is being asked to society. However, there is no such entity: a society is simply a group of individuals living in close proximity to each other. If your questions are addressed to individuals, we come full circle to an invalid form of question. Of course, we could each answer that we wish no harm or misfortune on any individuals, but if we chose to be less kind or compassionate and answer that we are not the cause of this reality for these people there is no immoral act involved. Abstract human beings are at best potentially abstract values to specific individuals. Philosophy is not a party tool or a cheap device to be used to extract alms for the misfortunate. Individuals should take responsibility for their own lives and their own chosen values: loved ones and friends. We are not responsible for everyone.
I'd hate that kind of utopia too. It wouldn't seem to be a utopia to me at all.
While some art does come from the conflicts we face in our current system, people will always face internal conflicts, relationship challenges, the frustration between hopes and disappoints, and this will still produce that kind of art too.
We will always struggle with our internal inabilities, with misunderstandings, with the slowness of progress between where we want to be and where we are. I don't see this changing, because we will still be human.
Utopia to me is the best possible world while still being a human world. This may technically be more of a eutopia instead, an ideal place.
I'd just like to see an entirely possible world without starvation and homelessness, without preventable diseases, without people ruling over others, and without the violence required to keep such a system in place to benefit a small number. There'll still be struggles and tragedies, but not the kind others profit off of.
Excellent!
Your “should” questions in their current form are invalid unless we are to assume that you have implied that it is being asked to society. However, there is no such entity: a society is simply a group of individuals living in close proximity to each other. If your questions are addressed to individuals, we come full circle to an invalid form of question. Of course, we could each answer that we wish no harm or misfortune on any individuals, but if we chose to be less kind or compassionate and answer that we are not the cause of this reality for these people there is no immoral act involved. Abstract human beings are at best potentially abstract values to specific individuals. Philosophy is not a party tool or a cheap device to be used to extract alms for the misfortunate. Individuals should take responsibility for their own lives and their own chosen values: loved ones and friends. We are not responsible for everyone.
Thanks for your comment - I got carried away and wrote a longer reply to this here - https://peacefulrevolutionary.substack.com/p/society-and-shoulds
I would very much like to read your reply, however, the link requires a password
Sorry, about that, I initially tried to share an earlier version with you before making it live, but I guess that link only worked for me. It is publicly readable here - https://peacefulrevolutionary.substack.com/p/society-and-shoulds
I'd hate that kind of utopia too. It wouldn't seem to be a utopia to me at all.
While some art does come from the conflicts we face in our current system, people will always face internal conflicts, relationship challenges, the frustration between hopes and disappoints, and this will still produce that kind of art too.
We will always struggle with our internal inabilities, with misunderstandings, with the slowness of progress between where we want to be and where we are. I don't see this changing, because we will still be human.
Utopia to me is the best possible world while still being a human world. This may technically be more of a eutopia instead, an ideal place.
I'd just like to see an entirely possible world without starvation and homelessness, without preventable diseases, without people ruling over others, and without the violence required to keep such a system in place to benefit a small number. There'll still be struggles and tragedies, but not the kind others profit off of.