In Reference to the Previous Post
Alex, you're right (and thank you for your comment). "We just want the easy way out of everything." But I'm also trying to make a point on the notion of balance (although the last post shows more of a thought process than a point.)
Consider this, everyone as a teenager is to some degree rebellious. It could be in the form of rejecting one's own parents, educational institution, a certain culture, the society as a whole, or all of the above. Nonetheless we can all agree that a teenager needs guidance, and it is perhaps through guidance that he/she will find ways, not to conform, but to learn to accept his/her circumstances (while with some hope, will strive to improve oneself and/or the shortcomings in any situation). Indeed, blaming others does not make anyone's life easier - we are still facing the same problems, unless we choose to be ignorant, which clearly is not a resolution. But here I see a problem of power struggle rather than blame. (And as long as humans have the innate will to power, there may always be power struggles.) In fact within the act of faulting others, we are only trying to depreciate the power of authority, and promote our own.
Perhaps the real problem lies within power abuse: disputes or riots don't rise because authorities exercises their power fairly. To illustrate my point, let's take a formerly established example: we hate cops. Why? Because a) they seem to legally violate the law (hurt people, speed, run red lights); and b) self-righteously turn people in for committing the same crime, which is rather insulting. But do we need the police force? Do we need an army to defend our country when our lives are in danger? Try calling 911, the emergency line is forever busy. As a civilized nation, we cannot return to the lawless, barbaric times. We are pleased when the police solves crimes, and keeps our neighborhoods safe. When an officer sacrifices his/her life to protect us, we honor him/her as a hero/heroine. So what we are rebelling against is really corrupted cops.
Greed plays a great role in our human nature. It is often difficult to resist temptations to make things more convenient, to "make our lives easier" or better. The answer to the problem of power struggle is, therefore, in the everyday choices we make. We must understand what are the (moral) rules, and what choices we have in every situation, then use our judgement to determine our actions. Should we let greed take the driver seat, and drive us to the devil's lot? Should we lose control of our will to power, and let that will take control of us? We should use power to grow and expand our strength, but power should never be overused. This applies to everyone who wishes to take a part in any relationship or a society. Much like participating in a game, players who do not follow the rules will be disqualified. If no one abuses power (and this is a huge "if"), there will be less struggles in life, and we may be able to find peace within ourselves and in the world. Our rights as citizens or human beings are privileges (laws are made to protect us; humans have a right for natural resources, such as water), but we are also privileged to fulfill our duties (therefore, we have a duty to abide by the law; we must not contaminate or waste water). Think about it.
Consider this, everyone as a teenager is to some degree rebellious. It could be in the form of rejecting one's own parents, educational institution, a certain culture, the society as a whole, or all of the above. Nonetheless we can all agree that a teenager needs guidance, and it is perhaps through guidance that he/she will find ways, not to conform, but to learn to accept his/her circumstances (while with some hope, will strive to improve oneself and/or the shortcomings in any situation). Indeed, blaming others does not make anyone's life easier - we are still facing the same problems, unless we choose to be ignorant, which clearly is not a resolution. But here I see a problem of power struggle rather than blame. (And as long as humans have the innate will to power, there may always be power struggles.) In fact within the act of faulting others, we are only trying to depreciate the power of authority, and promote our own.
Perhaps the real problem lies within power abuse: disputes or riots don't rise because authorities exercises their power fairly. To illustrate my point, let's take a formerly established example: we hate cops. Why? Because a) they seem to legally violate the law (hurt people, speed, run red lights); and b) self-righteously turn people in for committing the same crime, which is rather insulting. But do we need the police force? Do we need an army to defend our country when our lives are in danger? Try calling 911, the emergency line is forever busy. As a civilized nation, we cannot return to the lawless, barbaric times. We are pleased when the police solves crimes, and keeps our neighborhoods safe. When an officer sacrifices his/her life to protect us, we honor him/her as a hero/heroine. So what we are rebelling against is really corrupted cops.
Greed plays a great role in our human nature. It is often difficult to resist temptations to make things more convenient, to "make our lives easier" or better. The answer to the problem of power struggle is, therefore, in the everyday choices we make. We must understand what are the (moral) rules, and what choices we have in every situation, then use our judgement to determine our actions. Should we let greed take the driver seat, and drive us to the devil's lot? Should we lose control of our will to power, and let that will take control of us? We should use power to grow and expand our strength, but power should never be overused. This applies to everyone who wishes to take a part in any relationship or a society. Much like participating in a game, players who do not follow the rules will be disqualified. If no one abuses power (and this is a huge "if"), there will be less struggles in life, and we may be able to find peace within ourselves and in the world. Our rights as citizens or human beings are privileges (laws are made to protect us; humans have a right for natural resources, such as water), but we are also privileged to fulfill our duties (therefore, we have a duty to abide by the law; we must not contaminate or waste water). Think about it.
Comments
I honestly think the problem may also be lack of responsibility in certain situations. It is usually whenever something goes ary that shows evidence of a lack of responsibility that has occured somewhere within some sort of system or event. things happen when people take action, and don't when nothing is done (whether it be good or bad).
As somewhat of a solution to the issue you've brought up, the only way to solve power abuse is to enforce the sense of responsibility that people should have in respect to each other, which means don't be lazy when it comes to others. If people can only get over the fact that what they SHOULD be doing is trying to take care of each other by fullfilling what is asked or more so.
but, that can only come when the individual his/herself has realized the value of responsibility. the sense of morality that drives one to want to be helpful to others. yeah it sounds naive and fantastic and utopian, but i think that's the way it should've been to be truly a peaceful and harmonic society much to what you were saying about knowing what is moral.
also fyi i'm very sleepy right now so i'm just babbling...