The Problem with Greater Goods

I don't often use the phrase, "the greater good." In fact, I don't much worry about greater and lesser goods, or figuring out which is which. I'm more interested in every good.

It's a classic form of moral thinking. Which of these two things are worth saving? In given dilemma, which virtue would you choose? Identifying the moral value of things is important, because when the shit hits the fan one might have to choose one thing over another.

I don't deny the fact that moral dilemmas occur. Sometimes one seems to be faced with a choice of evils; situations where every choice, even the choice to do nothing, is morally wrong. There are also positive moral dilemmas, occasions when only one positive opportunity can be pursued. When these happen, we have to make choices.

Despite this fact, I believe that a vast majority of problems can be solved creatively without need to violate any good, the greater or the lesser.

Ultimately, if something is priceless, there is no way to assess it's numeric worth. No price can be put on it's head. Because of this valuelessness, it makes no sense to trade, buy, or barter over such an item. Priceless things cannot properly participate in economies.

Now, most of us believe that a human's life is priceless. And most of us hold to the idea that no monetary value could or should ever be assigned to a person. We also generally think abdominal any economy that trades lives for money. Generally, we are against buying and selling human lives.

And yet, we are usually comfortable bartering human lives. Not that we think about it that way. But consider, when faced with a moral dilemma, a situation where the good of one person/group must be chosen over another person/group. Deciding that one is more valuable the other is to engage in a blind barter, trading lives based on ambiguous value, but going toward the one of greater value. Having chosen the thing of greater value, we feel justified in our choice.

I have real problems with this feeling of justification. Even if we are right, and chose the path of greater good over a lesser, a lesser good did not come to pass. Or, if we choose the lesser evil over the greater, we still did an evil. Such dilemmas are horrible situations that rob possibility and force wrong.

It should also be noted that pursuing greater goods often give people the notion that they can do all kinds of lesser evil. Bullshit. One cannot trade one good for another.

So kick the notion of the greater good. If at all possible, achieve all goods, every good, no matter how great or small. If limited by conditions and abilities, do the good you feel you must, but do not overly justify your choices. Admit to the wrongs that occurred, and find ways to heal what was broken.

Forgetting

There are days that I forget why I'm doing it. Days I don't want to. Days I can't make sense of anything at all.

Now, I'm pretty good at self motivation. Little mind tricks, meditating on the positive, being grateful. But some days it just doesn't work.

I suppose that's where honor comes in. I said I would. Even when I forgot why I said it, I know that I did.

So I push on. Even if this time isn't a game breaker, its good training for the times that really count.

Not Yet Enough

Disaster strikes, and we stand paralyzed.

Or perhaps we try to help, but our labor is for naught.

No one would fault us. No one would say that we were evil or wrong. Instead, they'd console us, saying we did everything we could. We tried.

But at what point are our competencies under our control? Sure, the first time a problem happened, no one would expect someone to be ready. But what about the second? Third? Worse yet, what about those problems we know exist? Are we to blame if we stand in perpetual impotence?

When did we decide to believe that our power to do the right thing was static? When did we conclude that we were as fit as we could be to serve the world?

I'd say, instead, that we are not yet enough. Not yet the people we need to be to solve our problems. It's not that I'm a pessimist. Notice the "yet."

Take a look at the problems in the world around you. Consider your gifts and resources. Then systematically hone your abilities.

Training

Ok, I'm thinking:

CPR

AED

Lifeguard

EMT

Class A Drivers Licence

Fire Extinguisher Training

Caregiving

Nurse Assistant Training

Conflict Negotiation

Critical Problem Solving

Health

Recycling

Mechanics

Marketing

Fundraising

Public Speaking

Logistics

Electronic Communication

Home Maintenance

Disaster Relief

Certified First Responder

Hexiyurt Construction

Wilderness Survival

outdoor Emergency Care

Construction

Leadership

Non-profit Management

Counseling

Swimming

Running

Flexibility

Social Networking

Writing

Photography