Archive for April 17, 2006

English-Prime Self-Talk Exercise

April 17, 2006 at 7:28 pm · Filed under Monologue

A self-dialogue now follows between me-A (with dogmatic errors) and me-B (using anti-dogmatic corrections).

A: What is the meaning of life?
B: Please don't ask me such absolutist psuedo-questions.

A: What do you mean by that?
B: The question looks as though it asks for a universal truth that will likely evoke multiple dogmas where conflict of opinion would seem inevitable.

A: So you are not going to answer my question then?
B: That depends whether you want an impartial opinion or instant controversy.

A: Why you being awkward?
B: It may seem that way to you currently whilst I haven't given an answer.

A: Okay, can I have an opinion on life?
B: Yes certainly, to me, a waste of time corresponds with a waste of life itself since in the grand scheme of our currently short existence we don't generally value our lives as much as we perhaps should.

A: Why do you say that?
B: It would seem to me that if a person knew the exact time and date of their death then as if by magic they may become "born-again" to value their now precious time left and actually work towards (1) living to the fullest and (2) seeking ways to prolong their (newly realized) short life.

A: Right, this is getting too morbid.
B: So it might seem to you.

A: Yes, anyway, you seem to have an answer for everything.
B: So it would seem to you and I.

– end –

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Thinking About Relationships

April 17, 2006 at 4:52 pm · Filed under Personal Development

I have become interested by the roles of relationships towards my self and others…

SE: The role of a friendship is utilization.
EP: It would seem to me that a friendship involves the use of someone else for a purpose originating from one's self.

SE: The role of a partnership is collaboration.
EP: It would seem to me that a partnership mirrors a friendship though seemingly more for a mutually agreed purpose.

SE: The role of a companion is support.
EP: It would seem to me that a companion such as a lady friend provides mutual support at a time of emotional need.

SE: The role of an individual is business.
EP: It would seem to me that an individual has the chief role of getting down to business in producing and sharing values.

With this understanding let's now summarize two extremes and an ideal…

"Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live,
it is asking others to live as one wishes to live."

SE: A relationship should not be one of irrational selfishness.
EP: I would say that a person in need of something that you can't help with or no longer see a value in providing would come across sooner or later as a burden thus the apparent selfishness will likely drain respect.

"Loyalty is like rubber: one can stretch it so far
and then – it snaps."

SE: A relationship should not be one of irrational selflessness.
EP: I would say that a person who lacks assertiveness to stand up for their own beliefs and values will likely run the risk of becoming a recognized dogsbody causing a one-sided conditional and dishonest relationship.

"To know one's own desires, their meaning and their costs
requires the highest human virtue: rationality."

SE: A relationship should thus be one of rational self-interest.
EP: Considering the extremes of living for one's self versus living for others I would conclude that a rational self-interest would equate to a continuous evaluation of how your actions benefit yourself and others in the ultimate pursuit of happiness ideally created through a string of win-win interactions with others where negligible time loses out to irrational impulses or concerns etc.

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