I’m only trying here to communicate effectively and efficiently what I said before about values, logic, conditional and absolute. The same communication, only by an example or an illustration. For efficiency sake.
Only after it’s communicated effectively, can we discuss and evaluate it. We’re not to that point yet.
I’m not trying to read your mind, I’m asking you. And I’m not judging the rightness or wrongness of your reply. Just discussing the process.
What you choose and value is not the point I’m focusing on. Whatever you said your purpose or self-appointed goal was, the question is the same: Why did you choose this? Why is it better than its contrary. As an illustration for means of communication.
It is logical to assume that our choices illustrate what we value - that’s why we choose them. Our choices reflect what we value. Certainly there are instincts, reflexes, random picks of numbers at Las Vegas.
To examine values, these latter are of little use. We would need something a bit larger. I picked why you are posting your views on this topic to me, because I believe it large enough to illustrate the terms and points I’m attempting to communicate.
I’m asking you, and not judging the reply. Examining the process. Working backwards in examination of our choices and the values they reflect.
You also said: “Try just enjoying life.” I would ask “why is enjoying life better than not?”
You said: “ I get up in the morning and go about my business”. I would ask “why is going about your business better than not?”
The answers lead us up the hierarchy of our values.
Before, I said that ultimately we think we know what has value or we accept someone else’s, or we go about it unaware.
I don’t see you in the last category. Your are inquisitive, knowledgeable and look for truth. Which is why I value your responses and this discussion with you.
You also said: “Try just enjoying life.” I would ask “why is enjoying life better than not?” You said: “ I get up in the morning and go about my business”. I would ask “why is going about your business better than not?”
Notice I never said it was "better." So, how can this lead to a "hierarchy of values?" Some things I do are driven by "feels good." Some are influenced opportunistically. Some things are done out of habit. Things that "feel good' tend to be repeated and tings that "feel bad" tend to be avoided.
This is the basis for any conditioned response from a flat worm to a human. That's how living things respond. I don't know why, but that's how living things respond. This can be demonstrated repeatedly and with high degree of confidence. There are no better or worse things. There are things that benefit you finanically, physically, health-wife, etc. and there ar things that hurt you physcially, financially, mentally, etc. The former as seen as "better" and the latter as "worse". Whether they are or not is not always clear; nor does it really matter.
Before, I said that ultimately we think we know what has value or we accept someone else’s, or we go about it unaware.
I hate to sound so stark, but fundamentally it all comes down to feels good-feels bad. Just because something feels good doesn't mean it's "better."
Much obliged. But you must understand I am inquisitive because I am NOT knowledgeable. I am hoping others will enlighten ME because I pretty much know that I don't know anything.
When I tested my own 'knowledge' of what I though I knew, including God, I could not say how I knew them to be true or even what they are.