The notion of “greed” mingles two opposite concepts. One is ambition — and I mean ambition in the widest sense, not solely for financial or career gain. “Ambition” in the widest sense means a zest for life, a commitment to … Continue reading
If it’s true that integrity is what you exhibit when nobody’s looking, it’s also true (by implication) that integrity is something you do for your OWN sake. This means that morality, which integrity serves, ought to be self-interested and rational … Continue reading
Manners are primarily for the sake of the person who practices them. They enable the person with manners to have a respect for human association, which means to make his or her own associations more comfortable and satisfying. You show … Continue reading
It’s amazing enough that the plotter of the Pan Am Lockerbie bombing, who killed several hundred innocent people twenty years ago over Scotland in a horrific and terrifying manner, only got sentenced to 27 years. Now, the Scottish judge who … Continue reading
People talk about “giving” as if that’s the only way to contribute something. The giver who “gives selflessly, and gives what he doesn’t have” is considered the epitome of morality, while people who actually produce something of tangible value are … Continue reading
“Integrity” involves telling the truth, but this is not the real definition of integrity. The real definition is that, with integrity, you stay true to who you are. Think of an analogy: A bridge has integrity; a building has structural … Continue reading
Everyone is so concerned about not being “mean.” We’re supposed to be nice to everyone, whether they’re particularly nice or fair back to us, or not. What about the people who ordinarily treat us well? Aren’t we betraying them by … Continue reading
A life lived by reason is a life which includes mistakes, but also lots of goodness, competence and excellence. A life lived by something other than reason is a life filled with unnecessary peril and avoidable mistakes, rationalized away by … Continue reading
Comic Wanda Sykes once said, “The older I get, the less I care–about a LOT of things.” Funny, and true, if only a part of the truth. Here’s how I view it, from the perspective of middle-age: The older I … Continue reading
A world in which everyone takes care of everyone else, and nobody takes care of himself–is a world that will perish. A world in which everyone takes care of him- or herself is a world from which everyone benefits. If … Continue reading
Absolute certainty IS possible. This is self-evident. If it weren’t, then you’d be forced to claim: “I’m absolutely certain that absolute certainty is impossible.” Or, you’d be forced to claim: “I’m certain that I can be certain of nothing.” At … Continue reading
There are worse things than bad ideas. The worst thing is a bad idea posing as a new one–or a rotten idea disguised as something different, fresh, and original. The first is merely a mistake, while the second is fraud.