Perspective, and the ability to see things outside the frame of ones own circumstances is not a common trait I fear. I think plenty of people say the right things, but it might just be that my or their circumstances brought us to the same place for a bit, and any given person wouldn't apply the same generosity or principles if it wasn't to their own advantage at that moment ... Perhaps we don't agree so much as their tribe likes the same slogan as I do.
People like Trump once identified themselves as a Democrat, I actually suspect it doesn't even matter and given other circumstances he would have happily continued to do so if he felt it was to his personal advantage.
When I was a child I remember various efforts by adults to teach young people various good principles. Some in school, some in books or even TV. I actually thought the amount of effort was sort of silly. Of course I should treat others in a way that I would hope to be treated if I were in their place and so on. Many of these things seemed self evident to me, and I wondered why they put so much effort into teaching the obvious.
I feel like I know why now. The trick isn't the basic concept of knowing principles, it's still applying them when it isn't advantageous to you or your tribe or your concerns.
Perspective, and the ability to see things outside the frame of ones own circumstances is not a common trait I fear. I think plenty of people say the right things, but it might just be that my or their circumstances brought us to the same place for a bit, and any given person wouldn't apply the same generosity or principles if it wasn't to their own advantage at that moment ... Perhaps we don't agree so much as their tribe likes the same slogan as I do.
People like Trump once identified themselves as a Democrat, I actually suspect it doesn't even matter and given other circumstances he would have happily continued to do so if he felt it was to his personal advantage.
When I was a child I remember various efforts by adults to teach young people various good principles. Some in school, some in books or even TV. I actually thought the amount of effort was sort of silly. Of course I should treat others in a way that I would hope to be treated if I were in their place and so on. Many of these things seemed self evident to me, and I wondered why they put so much effort into teaching the obvious.
I feel like I know why now. The trick isn't the basic concept of knowing principles, it's still applying them when it isn't advantageous to you or your tribe or your concerns.