The Optimum State of Man

[questor]

I would like to discuss the optimum state of man. If there were a consensus

on what conditions were needed for man to be the best he can be, what would they be? If this subject could be agreed upon universally, there would be no war, and each person could strive within the agreed upon parameters to be the best that he could be. In my opinion, certain personal traits are necessary to better ones self :

1. willingness to work

2. willingness to become educated

3. adherence to moral principles such as honesty and integrity

4. ambition to improve

5. consideration of others

6. ability to reason and understand the results of ones actions

7. taking responsibility for ones actions

 

Certain societal traits would also be necessary:

1. anti-social behavior should be condemned and punished quickly

2. governments should be run on a business basis with ability to hire and fire on the basis of efficiency, need and accomplishment

3. the playing field should be level, but not by lowering the height

4. justice should be administered equally to all

5. positions of leadership should be held by the mentally and morally fit

 

If these traits could be agreed upon as necessary and/or desirable, then

would not this society express the ultimate condition of man?

[Queso]

IMO, you shouldn't look at it that way.

I would look at the optimum of all men as one with their bioregion.

[questor]

I don't understand your point. I'm referring to what is the optimum state of man vis a vis other men.

[Turtle]

The optimum state of a human ('Man' is so non-inclusive to the tune of half the human population. :phones: )...ahem...the optimum state of a human is alive and the minimum state is dead. Like Bill said; to be or not to be.

[questor]

I would imagine that comments of this type would be of great value when one tries to set up educational or social systems to improve the population.

Thanks for the participation.

[Turtle]

I would imagine that comments of this type would be of great value when one tries to set up educational or social systems to improve the population.

Thanks for the participation.

 

They are the foundation historically, yes. My pleasure. :phones:

[Queso]

I think everyone has their own individual optimum state.

 

...right?

 

I tried to describe my personal optimum state but it was absurd trying to describe it.

[questor]

I guess I have not expressed the question clearly. I'm not talking about personal physical optimums, I'm asking what characteristics are necessary

for a person to be successful as a citizen and in his chosen profession.

[Zythryn]

There is no one set of characteristics. Each society requires people with different characteristics. Each profession also has different requirements.

AND each situation may require different strengths or weaknesses for a succesful outcome (benificial to the species, or at the very least not detrimental).

[Boerseun]

I don't see any universal requirements.

 

For instance, a science teacher should be prompt, well-spoken, well-versed in his subject, have an inquisitive mind, be good with kids, be patient, etc., whereas a professional hitman should be good with a gun, be stealthy and crafty, have a taste for killing people, etc. None of the former applies to the latter.

 

I don't understand what you're getting at.

[questor]

Would you say that a hitman was a good member of society? Would you say that a teacher does not need to be honest, industrious, educated, and have some ambition? I don't know why this question is so difficult. The question is simple: what personality traits are necessary to be the best that you can be?

This does not mean who can run fastest or jump highest. It means what traits does one need to be a good and successful citizen of a society?

[InfiniteNow]

I don't know why this question is so difficult. The question is simple: what personality traits are necessary to be the best that you can be?

Compassion.

Empathy.

Industriousness.

Creativity.

Curiosity.

Compassion.

 

 

The question is subjective, different to all observers, yet you seek an absolute answer. This is what is making it difficult.

[questor]

The question is not difficult at all, you have just posted a few of your favorites, and I'll take note of the redundency. You didn't mention honesty,

intelligence, bravery, personal ambition, strong character. Are these not important to you? What would be your Number 1 desired trait?

[InfiniteNow]

You didn't mention honesty,

intelligence, bravery, personal ambition, strong character. Are these not important to you?

They are, indeed, important. IMO, just not *as* important. :hihi:

 

 

What would be your Number 1 desired trait?

 

I listed it twice above. :)

 

 

 

"Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them humanity cannot survive. "

~Dalai Lama

[questor]

Very interesting--I would lean more toward honesty or personal responsibility.

I'm more of a left brain thinker. Am I wrong in my assumption you tend toward

right brain?

[Mike C]

I would like to discuss the optimum state of man. If there were a consensus

on what conditions were needed for man to be the best he can be, what would they be? If this subject could be agreed upon universally, there would be no war, and each person could strive within the agreed upon parameters to be the best that he could be. In my opinion, certain personal traits are necessary to better ones self :

1. willingness to work

2. willingness to become educated

3. adherence to moral principles such as honesty and integrity

4. ambition to improve

5. consideration of others

6. ability to reason and understand the results of ones actions

7. taking responsibility for ones actions

 

Certain societal traits would also be necessary:

1. anti-social behavior should be condemned and punished quickly

2. governments should be run on a business basis with ability to hire and fire on the basis of efficiency, need and accomplishment

3. the playing field should be level, but not by lowering the height

4. justice should be administered equally to all

5. positions of leadership should be held by the mentally and morally fit

 

If these traits could be agreed upon as necessary and/or desirable, then

would not this society express the ultimate condition of man?

 

What you are promoting here is the old feudal system of 'lords' and 'peasants'.

What we do not need here is the current business orientated and dominating education system.

 

We already have the greatest teacher and that is Nature.

Where do you think we got the ideas for airplanes, submarines, sonar and radar, military tanks, river dams, art and etc?

Of course, we cannot implement everything Nature teaches since we do need laws to govern ourselves.

 

On the other hand, most everyone looks to the bible for moral behavior. It is the most read book in todays religious institutions.

What does it teach?

The 1st 3 commandments that mandate a 'one god concept', with genocide as punishment for non compliance.

It invented the 'ham sandwich with the trio of AbraHAM, ishMEAL and Isaac as the consumer? The Jews also invented the 'hot dog' with the star of David.

 

So, like I said, Nature is our greatest teacher.

 

Mike C

[questor]

Mike, i'm looking in vain to see what qualities you think make a good citizen or person. I know by some of your other pots you are not pleased with the way things are. Can you tell how you would make it better?