You've intriguied me, Dave. Prior to some recent experiences I've had, I would have said people are more important, but I'll be honest, I'm not sure I believe that anymore. On a base level, betraying a person you (supposedly) care about does not seem to ever be the right answer, but what if betrayal is necessary to save what you have (or had) with said person? In order to discover how deeply your feelings run, you might need to be betrayed, or betray someone else as the case may be. Because if you betray for the sake of your principles, you'll discover whether or not the other person respects you for standing by them. By remaining true to your principles, you are remaining true to yourself which should be someone that the other person cares for, even if said principles lead to mistakes and/or poor decisions in their opinion. In the long run, sticking with your principles is more important than putting up a facade just to protect someone else. Because how do you know whether they care for you or just the front you put up?
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Harmony vs. Principle?
anonymous
April 4 2007, 23:17:07 UTC
In almost every circumstance, seeking harmony at the expense of your principles is the easy way out. It's a band-aid. Harmony is an ever changing concept, a personal perception. Stay true to your principles, and you will inevitably find harmony within yourself.
Re: Harmony vs. Principle?dave_thompsonApril 7 2007, 04:58:58 UTC
No. You will not inevitably find harmony inside yourself by always staying true to your principles; that can happen but the challenge of living honorably is that when you do you're stuck with doubt, uncertainty, and regret- dissonance
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Perhaps principles and people should be judged seperately, unless ofcourse your case intertwines the two. Is there ever a case where principles and people aren't related? On either side, one would be trying to minimize conflict and reach a consensus based on some sort of belief. To go off what you replied to the previous comment, if you are perceiving yourself as truly "good" or "right", then whatever decision you are going to make will be essentially based off of your own view, even if it's not based on your own opinion (going with but also going against "groupthink"). Individual doubts could be set aside for fear of upsetting whatever balance is trying to be maintained
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Trying to "minimize conflict and reach a consensus based on some sort of belief" is part of the definition of "groupthink". I was merely restating what you said in your original post. And, yes, it's true that your honor comes from within, but I was trying to say that you have to be able to stay true to others as well. You know what makes a person more honorable? You say it's staying true to yourself, and yet people's understandings change all the time. Of course, no one's core self is going to change, but as long as you're staying true to yourself then I think that is right. I'm not saying you believe in one firm or consistent "honor code", just no one is going to keep the same perception of "honor" all their life. I did not come across in a well-thought out manner. I apologize for the confusion. "A false, soul-dishonored life lived to please others". Hardly. I highly doubt anyone really lives by that (minus many fictional characters) unless they force themselves to be that low.
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And, yes, it's true that your honor comes from within, but I was trying to say that you have to be able to stay true to others as well.
You know what makes a person more honorable? You say it's staying true to yourself, and yet people's understandings change all the time. Of course, no one's core self is going to change, but as long as you're staying true to yourself then I think that is right. I'm not saying you believe in one firm or consistent "honor code", just no one is going to keep the same perception of "honor" all their life.
I did not come across in a well-thought out manner. I apologize for the confusion. "A false, soul-dishonored life lived to please others". Hardly. I highly doubt anyone really lives by that (minus many fictional characters) unless they force themselves to be that low.
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