faith writes:
While I do agree with Robin that there's something obnoxious about the examples he gave
None of the examples he gave was boasting! Seems the problem stems from: robin is unhappy and does not like reading about others happiness, you place everything in context with an ancient legend and these statements run against what you want to believe,you wanteveryone feel the same way as you and if they do not then it seems to upset you.
faith writes:
but that what is being boasted about is these very aaccommodations to life that he has identified as lowering our expectations.
what do you mean 'lowered our expactations'?
faith writes:
However, what's ironic about this is that Robin ISN'T unhappy with things as they are
I disagree! These last few threads show he is and when others show him their happy he gets upset.
faith writes:
he's made his compromises and lowered his expectations and finds pleasure and happiness in life as it is, convinced himself that's all there is and he can live with it just fine
That is a very sad testimony of a persons life. Do not compromise do not lower your standards. Since it is easier to go this way once you do, every time things happen thatgo wrong or do not go your way, were will you stop
faith writes:
THAT's the real problem, that we pretend we're satisfied with compromises and then insist on making our pretenses into virtues.
How do you know we are pretending?
faith writes:
So we pep-talk it up how much satisfaction is to be found in life as it is if we will only put ourselves in the right frame of mind toward it, magnify the ordinary little pleasures of life for instance.
Maybe you do this. Rember the line in the crow 'It's the little things that matter the most'!
faith writes:
But this amounts to denial in the context of a human nature that naturally seeks fulfillments beyond what reality has to offer
How about it is you and robin who are the one who are in denial!
faith writes:
and I agree with Robin that this does define the human condition.
This affirms my last statement.
faith writes:
The problem with this discussion is that nobody wants to admit to this and keeps arguing with it, and insisting that various compromises and accommodations satisfy them just fine
The problem is you and robin want to place your sad little worldview on others. not happening
faith writes:
That's what the boasting was about, proving that life as it is offers everything we could (or should) ever want, and it's only a personal fault if someone does not find it to be so.
No, what is being said is that we are looking at life and seeing the wonders that are already there!
faith writes:
But the argument isn't a subjective one, it's objective. It's about human nature as such, not about personal reactions to life. But you all insist on making it into something subjective
Talking about how one perceives life is subjective not objective!
faith writes:
That forces a person finally to point out that the pleasures and virtues you all make so much of are shared by those arguing this case too, that there is no failure of small daily pleasures or "wonders"
No one is 'forced' to point out the pleasure and virtues. There has been statements made that they are countering by showing how they live their life.
faith writes:
but the contention is that these are compromises with our imagination that wants more out of reality than can be had.
You should have used reality instead of contention. The reality is our imaginations will always out strip what we can possibly do, but we will never know how far we can really go unless we try to met our imagination!
faith writes:
Robin said I must have a religious angle on all this. The angle of course is that Christ is the answer.
Nope that is not the answer. How about each and everyone does what is right, lives their life, loves life and all around them to the best that they can do because it is the right thing to; not because of some carrot and the end of the stick reward
faith writes:
I can suggest as did Augustine and others that our having an imagination that outstrips reality is really the "God-shaped hole" that can only be filled by God Himself.
You could but again your wrong. Human imagination is what makes us us. To religate it the way you are doing is very close, if not, self hate.
faith writes:
And I can suggest that the overall dilemma itself, of a creature that wants more than reality can give, reflects the Fall, our built-in sin nature, the curse on humanity and on nature itself, that puts everything in life out of whack.
Again you can but, again, your wrong! You need to stop blaming human failings on this mythical fall. Our built in sin is just a label placed on human conditions that at one time where not understood very well. To continue to do this you take away self responsibility, you control what you do not some invisible deity in the sky!
faith writes:
But there's no point in suggesting answers while people aren't recognizing that there is a problem or a question, while everybody is insisting that life as it is provides everything the human soul could desire, which is what this whole flap about boasting is really all about.
Your right as long as you and robin are not recognizing this, both of you well not understand the answers! And no one stated that life provides everything the human soul(do you have proof of the this soul thingy) needs. Just that life, if you would just look around and see, provides more than enough wonder for one life time!
faith writes:
The argument he's been raising is philosophical and academic and he's not seeking answers, he's just interested in the philosophical point itself, as a lover of truth.
Really? It looks like you both will not except the truth of how other people feel about their lives, why is this. Also, if he is a lover of truth, why did he not do the first quote in the last thread like he was asked to do?
faith writes:
The difference from the "boasters" is not that he hasn't found ways to be happy in this life as they have, but that he would never boast about his happinesses and pleasures, and does recognize that they are compromises with a reality his imagination far outstrips.
You really have this problem with a human condition called 'imagintion'! It spills out a lot now. why? Anywho, so far neither one of you have showed any one 'boasting'. Also you would have to be happy first to boast about it
Sometimes I don't know why we'd rather live than die,
we look up towards the sky for answers to our lives.
We may get some solutions but most just pass us by,
don't want your absolution cause I can't make it right
™ Version 4.2
