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 What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? George Eliot (1819-1880)
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To make life more difficult for each other, it seems.
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jacobusmaximus wrote:To make life more difficult for each other, it seems. 
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jacobusmaximus wrote:To make life more difficult for each other, it seems. Cool!wek
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Eliot is quite right because what's the purpose in creating problems for others? If someone is getting a stature to spread misery in the world then it's preferable not to get any kind of stature, on the other hand if you are going to spread love then do it get everything.
However, this kind of mysticism doesn't work now a days.
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mirilli wrote:jacobusmaximus wrote:To make life more difficult for each other, it seems. Cool!wek Don Matteo would not hear of it. 
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Well Mary Ann, as jacobusmaximus pointed out, our world is concocted of devious parties who live to relish in others' suffering - regrettably.
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It's a great advice cause fit all sizes: while someone create a vaccine against the now-incurable disease, other lend a helping hand or smile for the tired.
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When she wrote this, was she stoned?
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that is the truth no matter how much it hurts
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Daemon wrote:What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? George Eliot (1819-1880) So true but it is not human nature to help one another without the expectation of some intrinsic reward for our behavior. All human behavior is motivated by self-interest. So it is the rare person that can operate at this level of actualization.
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Answer: Cheesburgers and Coca-Cola! (I can has cheezburger?)
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Professor wrote:
So true but it is not human nature to help one another without the expectation of some intrinsic reward for our behavior. All human behavior is motivated by self-interest. So it is the rare person that can operate at this level of actualization.
I have to ask Professor, are you proposing a marriage of Dawkins and Maslow?
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Professor wrote:[quote=Daemon] What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? So true but it is not human nature to help one another without the expectation of some intrinsic reward for our behavior. All human behavior is motivated by self-interest. So it is the rare person that can operate at this level of actualization. Even though in our real life the "bads" are prevailing, there is a lot of people that live by this philosophy. In fact, I do believe that all humans are "preprogrammed" for this good behavior, as it is clearly stated in all "heavenly" religions, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and also, most of the other religions.
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Daemon wrote:What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? George Eliot (1819-1880) From TFD: ""al•tru•ism (ˈæl truˌɪz əm) n. 1. the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others (opposed to egoism). 2. behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind. ""
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jacobusmaximus wrote:To make life more difficult for each other, it seems. And to that end we have TFD forums to harangue one another long after family members and friends have left the room...  I thank you all. Your welcome.
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will it happen someday?
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Thank you Verbatim for your post. I think you explained George Eliot's meaning very well.
I also thought pncl made a very interesting point, by stating that all humans are preprogrammed for this altruistic behavior, as all heavenly religions remind and instruct us to be.
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jacobusmaximus wrote:To make life more difficult for each other, it seems. So true! That's why birth control and abortion are so great. The unborn never have to endure this brief nightmare. Lucky devils!
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One Love: U2I would just like to add this thought to the discussion on this thread, which ties into the discussion on another thread we had about the criminality of war. Without altruism, a world without war is not possible...nor is a world without suffering.
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Quoting: The Parser
"That's why birth control and abortion are so great."
What an astonishingly cold hearted perspective.
Maybe you'll get lucky this year Parser.
Edit:
birth control is designed to prevent conception, abortion destroys conceived life.
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Absurdicuss wrote:
birth control is designed to prevent conception, abortion destroys conceived life.
I hear you, Absurdicuss, but I just have another perspective. I have read that before World War II, some Southern states would order that some women be sterilized. I am very sad that this practice is now illegal. Some women, in my opinion, should not be allowed to give birth if there is conclusive evidence that their offspring will be feeble-minded or criminally inclined. It is a F-A-C-T that some women in this country keep having babies because the government gives monetary assistance for each baby. This is a "joke" among some people. It is NOT funny. James
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Absurdicuss wrote:
Maybe you'll get lucky this year Parser.
I do not know what you mean by those words. I assume that it is a childish insult. If you want me to respond to your comments in the future, please act more mature.
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Daemon wrote:What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult to each other? George Eliot (1819-1880) Making life less difficult to each other has reached its apogee and lasted as long as people had a fair share out of the division of labor. We still do the kind things for one another according to one's capacity, on one hand, and respectively the other's need, but only when we remember because most often we have no time or we are dead tired. It is in extraordinary circumstances of emergencies and catastrophe that our humanity comes to the fore, for better or for worse. If only we could live to be useful, that would come close enough to Eliot's exhortation.
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