Well, I never would have understood Jude the Obscure, Frankenstein or Wuthering Heights without your insights so you’re not that much of a dumb dummy. But what does that say about me?
Just yesterday I was wishing to be dumber. Wishing that I cared less because all the dumb dummies I talk to (who are actually highly educated people in their field) seem so happy. I’ve never really been into philosophy. As a dumb dummy I somehow fell into an “applied ethics” career and after 10 years of it, have learned a lot about myself through my work. Sometimes I go through long stretches of feeling depressed. I’m pretty sure its because I need to grow in some way and recognize something about myself. But. I dont wanna. To avoid improving my relationship with myself I actively procrastinate by thinking about how to treat others better. Since my job requires that I tell scientists how to to treat people like people instead of lab rats I can pretend I’m just expanding my professional skill set and not doing some horrible self improvement journey. My recommended entry level reading for “applied ethics” is The Belmont Report. It discusses the ethical principles of respect, beneficence, and justice in the context of human research. But even dumb dummies can see how these concepts can be applied to our own lives. You can read it (dont let the .gov scare you. its the most readable government document) or you can watch a crusty old vhs video converted to youtube - https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/index.html
I’m pretty sure there’s a philosophy around the concept of “doing nothing is still doing something” that you could leverage? Or don’t because leveraging is more doing things. Dammit. I told you I was a dumb dummy so dont listen to me
Well, I never would have understood Jude the Obscure, Frankenstein or Wuthering Heights without your insights so you’re not that much of a dumb dummy. But what does that say about me?
You may be a dumb dummy but nevertheless this is a smart, insightful essay.
Just yesterday I was wishing to be dumber. Wishing that I cared less because all the dumb dummies I talk to (who are actually highly educated people in their field) seem so happy. I’ve never really been into philosophy. As a dumb dummy I somehow fell into an “applied ethics” career and after 10 years of it, have learned a lot about myself through my work. Sometimes I go through long stretches of feeling depressed. I’m pretty sure its because I need to grow in some way and recognize something about myself. But. I dont wanna. To avoid improving my relationship with myself I actively procrastinate by thinking about how to treat others better. Since my job requires that I tell scientists how to to treat people like people instead of lab rats I can pretend I’m just expanding my professional skill set and not doing some horrible self improvement journey. My recommended entry level reading for “applied ethics” is The Belmont Report. It discusses the ethical principles of respect, beneficence, and justice in the context of human research. But even dumb dummies can see how these concepts can be applied to our own lives. You can read it (dont let the .gov scare you. its the most readable government document) or you can watch a crusty old vhs video converted to youtube - https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/belmont-report/index.html
Oh wow, so now I'm supposed to actually do something about my problem? Seems like a lot to ask.
I’m pretty sure there’s a philosophy around the concept of “doing nothing is still doing something” that you could leverage? Or don’t because leveraging is more doing things. Dammit. I told you I was a dumb dummy so dont listen to me
Mike, I feel you. Going thru that kind of stuff myself the past few months. I don't have answers to much yet, but I absolutely feel this today!
And where is God in this conundrum?
He told us that already. Did you not read what he wrote?
I did.