Innocence is more important than life - Controversial thoughts for a common Sunday

in #philosophy6 years ago (edited)
So this might be something a bit controversial to think about, and it might not even be entirely true. However, I'm having a hard time disagreeing with myself about this, as much as I'm trying to. Yes, of course, you read that's right, that is exactly how I decide on what I've decided. And you also read that correctly.



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No doubt my thoughts on this matter are completely subjective too. I mean, attempting to say that I know what everyone is thinking or how everyone thinks is one of those claims I'm not ready to make. That being said, I've attempted to dissuade myself from these thoughts by asking as many people as I can if they can see my point, or if they don't feel the same way at all.

Life is precious, yes... but


Ok, maybe using the word "but" is probably triggering enough, but hear me out for three seconds. Or better yet, let's ask some diffusing questions, the kind that are meant to bring one's guard down a bit.

  • Is all life precious? - What about viruses, diseases and such, are they precious too?
  • Is all life precious in the same way? - What about a life well lived, what about a missed opportunity?
  • Can life be different levels of precious at different times? - like someone turning his/her life around, becoming an agent of good, or the opposite for that matter.

Yes, no doubt, you've read all these questions and have ten thousand more, but hopefully they've diffused your mind enough as to not react with anger to the initial "but..." - I think the conversation gets a bit complicated, more than it should (imo) when we attempt to equate everything, every lifeform. Because, no doubt we may be able to hold some positions as beautifully idealistic goals, yet in practice we know it could never truly be the case. As hard as a decision might be to make, most humans will choose to save innocence first.

Innocence...


Of course life and innocence are not mutually exclusive. One does not require to be innocent to be alive, but the relationship does not work both ways. It would be hard to speak in present tense and establish the innocence of someone or something who is not alive anymore.

So, at least we can establish that in order for innocence to be present the condition of life must be met. At least in that respect there is a common ground to build a logical argument for my somewhat confusing idea.

Why compare?


The reason why I've been thinking about this lately is probably more connected to the loss of my pet cat. She recently passed, and of course, like many others who love pets, I'm having a hard time accepting it. In the same breath I say that, I'm also aware that she had a good life, she lived 17+ years with a family that loved her. So, why would I be upset? Logically speaking, that is.

Maybe the abstract answer is because I lost an element of Innocence. Maybe the reason why we can't stand when our pet dog dies, or even when we see a little critter pass on, is not because of the life itself, but because the pet, the little animal was innocent, and that beautiful thing is now lost.

Maybe its a stretch, I will grant you that. But, I'm sure I don't stand alone when I say that I don't value all life, as ugly as such statement will sound. When a horrible dictator of a terribly ran country has died, I've not only not been sad, I've been happy. Does that make me a bad person? - I'm not sure, but I heavily doubt it. I guess, I'm trying to draw the parallels, the complex interactions between innocence and life, because when I know someone is not innocent at all, I can't seem to care too much about their life per say.

Allow me to explain a little bit longer before you thing I'm turning into a sociopath. What I'm trying to say here, is that a life that has no innocence is not as valuable as one that does. Maybe it's a gradient too. Possibly talking about this in absolutes is very futile, so I won't even attempt it. No doubt it's connected to perspective and bias as well.

What do you think? Am I making any sense? Do you not feel like even if a dog was not a "good boy" ate your shoes, pooped on the carpet or what have you, his life is precious because of innocence?

Like I said, controversial... maybe, maybe not... maybe I'm about to catch a flag.


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Back home this evening and catching up a little. Interesting post as always @meno!

"Is all life precious? - What about viruses, diseases and such, are they precious too?"

My response to the first - yes! To the second? Well, perhaps (no definitely ...) I am just a "weary warrior" and not getting it, but I see no connection between the two questions.

Viruses, diseases, etc. are corrupting, debasing "parasites" sucking life out of those so afflicted. Nothing precious about them at all ...

"... maybe I'm about to catch a flag ..."

What? 😧 I hope this is just your sense of humor coming out, but hard tell "in here." You have far more experience than I do, so wondering if this comes from some past bad experience?

I can certainly understand downvoting "bad" content. Fully realizing the reverse of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" would be in play. But, downvoting because you just disagree with another's point of view? If civilly and respectfully (as you've done here in your post) communicated it?

That's censorship and I for one certainly hope that is not (or ever will be ...) part of our Steem Community. Please let me know. Thanks.

Upvoted 100%.

Steemin’ along and on the move ... Posted using Partiko Android

there's been those types of flags, but in all honesty, they've been tiny... Let's just say this, not everyone has the emotional maturity to disagree like grown ups.

:)

OK, good to know!

" ... like grown ups."

Grown ups being the operative word here ... Got it!

It is curious you post this when I am finishing a song called innocent and wild for Hirvi the deer. Well not sure about ticks, evil being, just making a joke but why I was so addicted to Kira ir fufunchis precisely that. No malice, and I like to believe is something precious and its lesson humbling and enduring. Sorry for your loss.

can't wait to listen Pris... that would be lovely

Live by the sword, die by the sword.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
A dictator has ended lives. He's controlled people by threatening to end their lives.
He played the game of life and death until death came home to roost.
Innocent things don't threaten others. They don't know about death. They didn't 'have it coming'.
They weren't playing games with the mortality of others, but got caught up in it anyway.
They're victims, not combatants.

Just remember that the last laugh is on you.

They weren't playing games with the mortality of others, but got caught up in it anyway.
They're victims, not combatants.

i love these lines... i might use them one day..

The inside of my head is a rich tapestry.
The outside is spectacular, too.

It makes sense that people value their pets because of their innocence. They provide balance to a life that has plenty of evil out there lurking around.

I think things can get "weird" as different people will disagree on when innocence should be applied. For example would some people apply innocence to describe someone who had a psychotic break and ended up killing people? Is it fair to say they didn't have control over their actions? Should that one moment in life remove the years of innocence leading up to that tragic event?

All interesting things to ponder, but as you stated there are no absolutes. Sorry about the loss of your cat @meno. Sounds like she lived a long amazing life.

Thanks Ross... she was a special lady...

Her innocent soul will live in your heart forever...

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