Live as a coward or die as a hero?
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
- LuckyR
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
That would be the case if this was "Live as a coward or live as a hero".TimLear wrote:I have been a bit of tendency to be fearful. The problem with fear is it eats at you and fears come true sooner. Better to be brave.
But my your measure is it worth it to die as opposed to have fear eat at you?
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
To be a coward means no gains.
- LuckyR
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
I agree with both of your statements... but the OP isn't about the relative merits of cowardice and bravery, it's about whether the known benefits of bravery are worth dying for.TimLear wrote:I am saying if you are of a fearful nature, you will die sooner.
To be a coward means no gains.
- Laezithe
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
Perhaps, if I had more things in my life to tie me to the living, I would not act out of heroism and die because I have too much to loose. But I don't have many ties to the living, and not many who would care that I died, so I might choose to die a hero. There is also the fact that I don't find death that terrifying, so it wouldn't hold me back if I knew I might die in an act of heroism.
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
Same here. However you cannot know what growths your act of heroism will seed. It seems that the ends in view don't justify the means, but even this nice advice doesn't guarantee a good upshot. We will deal with challenges as Laezithe or Belinda deal with challenges, unknowns that remain to be finalised.But I don't have many ties to the living, and not many who would care that I died, so I might choose to die a hero. There is also the fact that I don't find death that terrifying, so it wouldn't hold me back if I knew I might die in an act of heroism.
Each challenge is unique (otherwise we'd know exactly how to help with Syria's problems).Because each challenge is unique our ethics and moral systems, let alone our reasonings, are hit-and-miss.
Even if good intentions are acted upon the actions don't guarantee good upshots.
What one does is who one is.
- Commonsense2
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
Absolutely true.
One who does cowardly deeds is a coward and will prefer to live. The instinct here is to live, obviously, even if it means living shamefully.
One who performs heroic acts is a hero and will disregard his own life in dangerous circumstances. This is the instinct to preserve the species--heroic but potentially fatal.
Anyone may choose or wish to be practical or to be altruistic, but instincts are what guide actions, not thoughts or dreams.
These instincts, one egocentric and one altruistic, may coexist in a single human. Whichever instinct is stronger during a given situation will inform one's actions. A person can be a hero at times and a coward at other times.
I have been instinctively brave on two occasions and overcome by instinctive fear on one occasion. I often deeply rue my act of cowardice. I do not, except now, reflect on my other acts.
The crux of the matter is how and where these instincts are formed. Nature or nurture or both or neither?
I for one certainly don't know.
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Re: Live as a coward or die as a hero?
The question presupposes that we all have 'free-will/choice'.
We do not.
The definition of both terms includes 'choice'.
Both terms are ignorant nonsense.
Who and what we are, at the moment, is what manifests. There is no choice.
One's nature is to run from, another's nature is to run toward. No 'choices' are involved, we do as we 'must'!
Society has it's superstitions and 'values'.
Those who just happen to be what society thinks is 'brave', are lauded as heroes, and heaps of approbation is added to those who do not fit that bill, or worse, are those who run.
Ignorance is always what such 'judgment' is built upon.
The question is absurd on the face; "is it better if..."
It doesn't matter, we have no choice to go the 'better route' if that is not who and what we are, at the moment!
All the words of wisdom, ever, don't amount to a fart in the wind if no one has the ability to chose to follow them! Some do, by nature. History bears this out.
2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month
Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023
Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023