Wednesday, 1 June 2022

Peter Singers Question

 As you may noticed my renewed interest in Philosophy and lack of interest in PT. I am fascinated with 2 philosophies - sort of religious ones- 1. is Buddhas ideas 2. Non-dualism. Some might argue it may be nearly the same- but that does not matter. The philosophies of Buddha are fascinating as with another sect of Hinduism i did read some time back- called Pasupaths. Fascinating ideas. All three seem to suggest the self is an illusion. You can take it to any extent- but really a bourgeois like me dont want or cant step out of my comfort zone of I.

I did read some philosophies when i college and got into vegetarianism- was a vegetarian for quite some years- slowly just stopped it. It started with the idea of all sentients should not be harmed. Well what do i think now- of course they should not be harmed- but fuck they are delicious. so... well out of all my hypocrisy this is just a sad one.

I am digressing- back to Buddha, his ideas of thinking of treating every sentient creature with compassion and love, lead me to Peter Singer. I took a long route to singer via Steven Pinker. This Peter singer guy is a fascinating person.  He posed a question in the 70s i think: it goes like this. 

There is a drowning child and (you know swimming) will you save him. well the clause in the question is you are wearing a expensive dress and it will get spoilt when you do that. Will you do it. Well i thought like everyone- of course it is a dress.

Then he ask why are you not doing?

flabbergasted. 

PS- if you dont understand think carefully.


love

Hariohm




    

1 comment:

  1. Even i thought the same way as you sir ... its a dress, if i am pretty sure about saving a child life wont put my life in a danger i will.....

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