WE BECOME WHAT WE THINK

We become what we think.

A nihilist rejects generally accepted or fundamental aspects of human existence, such as knowledge, morality, and meaning. A dissident is one who actively challenges an established political or religious system, doctrine, belief, policy, or institution. An insurgent is a violent, often armed rebellious person who practices guerrilla warfare against a larger authority blending in with civilian populations. Sedition is overt conduct, such as speech or organization, toward rebellion against the established order. Sedition includes subversion of the constitution and incitement of discontent toward, or insurrection against, established authority.

A humanist focuses on human well-being and advocates for freedom, autonomy, and progress. Humanity is responsible for promoting and developing individuals, espouses the equal and inherent dignity of all human beings, and emphasizes a concern for humans in relation to the world.

Those who think and share about a life well lived have emphasized humanist principles and the importance of a "golden rule" that promotes empathy, compassion, and ethical behavior. Notable examples across different philosophical traditions:

Immanuel Kant, a German philosopher, proposed the Categorical Imperative as a universal ethical principle. One formulation of this principle is "Act only according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it should become a universal law" which encourages treating others as ends in themselves, respecting their dignity and autonomy.

Confucian philosophy emphasizes the concept of Ren, often translated as benevolence or humaneness. The golden rule in Confucianism is "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself." An underscore to the importance of empathy, kindness, and reciprocity in human relations.

Aristotle's ethical concept of eudaimonia (human flourishing), emphasizes the development of virtues such as courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance. The golden mean, or finding balance in ethical behavior, is a key aspect of Aristotelian ethics.

John Stuart Mill, a utilitarian philosopher, advocated for the principle of utility, which suggests that actions should promote the greatest happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people. This aligns with a humanist perspective that prioritizes the welfare and flourishing of individuals and communities.

Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of nonviolent resistance (Satyagraha) was rooted in principles of ahimsa (nonviolence) and compassion. His golden rule can be summarized as "Be the change you wish to see in the world," emphasizing personal responsibility and ethical conduct.

Rumi: The 13th-century Persian poet Rumi often spoke of love, unity, and spiritual connection. His golden rule is reflected in statements such as "Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it."

We are capable of doing better than we are for others and ourselves even when we disagree. There are 580,000 homeless here. Living below the poverty level, 34 million suffer daily here. The cost of bringing them to par would be 459 billion annually. Veterans who live homeless number 37,000. More than 25 million here, cannot afford the cost of medical procedures. In the land of plenty, plenty needs to be done.

 

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