Ethical values are universal but our
understanding of those values is developed and expressed in relation
to historically defined circumstances and the individual's
understanding of how goals defined as common can serve that person's
private interests.
You are not what you, what you know and
what you believe. You are not your race, nationality and culture. You
are not even your family.
You are you!
And only as you you can be part of a
family, company, nation or faith. You can only be really to anyone
including yourself by being unique. Because that is the only human
way. A human being is not a product of or cog in the mechanism of
society. Society is the product and servant of its members, not the
other way around. To put the records straight – it's not what you
can do for you country it's what you country can do for you and if
your country doesn't do it for you – you can and must change the
government – it's in the Declaration of Independence. (and I see
the Declaration of Independence as a document not only of American
but of universal significance).
Bees and ants are social animals –
people are individuals with personal differences, preferences and
dreams.
The humanness of is ultimately the
good life but it is creativity which makes the connection between
dreams and realty between life as it is and life as we want it to be,
life as it should be! And because that is something very difficult if
not impossible to achieve on my own – I need the help of other
people. People who are either keen to build my dream or at least a
similar one or people who would help me realize my dream in exchange
of me helping them achieve theirs.
And those dreams might be castles in
the sky or something more practical like security, freedom and the
pursuit of happiness. Th achieve these goals we create associations,
nations, institutions and other tools and mechanisms – but that
doesn't mean that these constructs are what we are at least nor more
than the clothes that we wear are what we are. There are just means
to an end to be changed and discarded when they no longer serve their
purpose.
And that purpose is – make no mistake
and repeat after me in a loud voice – to help me chase my dreams,
not yours – my dreams and of course we can talk about how chasing
your dreams might help me chase mine or we can fight over that
(although that is more expensive and not at all productive).
Still I am in the center of my world
and you are in the center of yours and only by fiercely preserving
our personal freedom can personal security, and the personal pursuit
of happiness be possible at all. Only unity in diversity works, unity
without diversity is a dangerous illusion that makes life miserable
for everyone involved.
