This-essay is a7912011.htm which is available at the web-site www.essayz.com. See more notes at the bottom. Previous-Essay <== This-Essay ==> Following-Essay By-Months By-Years By-Words Webs of Like-&-Un-Like ESSAYS <==> Like-&-UN-Like This-One ========================================================== %ABSOLUTE VS. RELATIVE COMPARISONS 791201 People seek to make improvements. People differ as to the standards of comparisons in terms of which differences are perceived and upon which dissatisfaction is based. Some people try to live in terms of absolute standards of an idealized world of their imagination. They tend to reject all real alternatives because such are inadequate in comparison to their idealized standards. They try to choose between real alternatives (viewed one at a time) and an ideal which is not a real alternative, and reject all real alternatives as unacceptable. People who accept the real alternatives are often regarded as unacceptable people. Communication with such unacceptable people is cut off, blocked, regarded as evil, etc. Realistic people seek improvements over familiar circumstances. An improvement may be motion toward the acceptance of an alternative which is terrible in comparison to absolute standards of an idealized world. People who totally reject the acceptance of such an improvement (because it implies acceptance of an imperfect alternative) may imprison others in even more imperfect alternatives then their current circumstance. Decisions should be made which maximize the probability of improvement in real living; not to affirm the highest imaginable ideals. Comparisons should be made and differences noted between real alternatives, and choices made which realize the greatest possible real improvement. Expenditures of scarce resources should bring maximal increments in improvements. Comparisons should be made by the people most directly affected, not by people most committed to idealized standards. They should note differences between real alternatives and affirm values in making decisions based upon noted differences between real alternatives. These considerations are inadequate as regards the "rights" of future citizens --- relative to present day citizens. How can future citizens defend their rights? What responsibility do present day citizens have to defend the rights of future citizens? What are the relevant differences and relevant absolute/relativistic standards in terms of which to make decisions about priorities. Such decisions will often pertain to consumption of limited resources: other times to setting patterns of behavior in motion. On what basis shall bases for comparison and decision be agreed to? Who has the right to decide if the agreements are/were wise? (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in www.essayz.com Search for Integrity and Honesty (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy) ==========================================================
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