Community life

 

"Many times a day, I realize how much my outer and inner life is built upon the labors of people, both living and dead, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received and am still receiving.”

Albert Einstein, Living Philosophies

"The moral development of a civilization is measured by the breadth of its sense of community."
Anatol Rapoport

“An organism that is too greedy and takes too much without giving anything in return destroys what it needs for life.”
Peter Wohlleben, The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World

“The best way to reduce opponents’ overconfidence and make them open to your position might seem to be an overwhelming argument that shows them why they are wrong and why you are right. Sometimes that works, but only rarely. What usually works better is to ask questions—in particular, to ask opponents for reasons. Questions are often more powerful than assertions.”
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Think Again: How to Reason and Argue

My today thoughts for sending these quotes:

We individuals are not islands though right now it feels in ways we are living in isolated islands. This pandemic experience is illustrating how connected we are in a larger sense.

The philosophy of Gratitude for who we are and where we are... whatever that may be... because we did not get here by ourselves allows us to grow!! Gratitude and giving do not diminish the individual, paradoxically they raise up the community and we celebrate individuals such as Albert Einstein who choose to give from their gifts. 

Breaking down the argument of Anatol Rapoport

Breadth of Community - leads to Moral development of a Civilization

We are in a GLOBAL pandemic! That means India and Africa, Europe and South America, Asia and Antarctica are all connected to North America; first world, second world, third world... we are all in it together. It feels sometimes that we are more about US and THEM than any sense of human community... When we place blame, let fear dictate, keep them out and let us in, shame and differentiate between what we deserve and they deserve we are perpetuating differences and destroying possibility for change, learning and growth.

I'd say that the Peter Wohleben quote in which he is referring to life in forests is an apt description of human activity right now. Maybe this pandemic will help wake us up or maybe we are too far gone. Basically what we are in the process of destroying is ourselves.

And the last quote is the positive ending:-)

We cannot change anything by doing the same thing over and over. Thinking we are right is getting us nowhere!!!! 

Question Question Question is an Answer!!!

Cheers
Jeanne

Anatol Rapoport, a mathematical psychologist who was famous for his insights into social interactions: You should attempt to re-express your target’s position so clearly, vividly, and fairly that your target says, ‘Thanks, I wish I’d thought of putting it that way.’ You should list any points of agreement (especially if they are not matters of widespread agreement). You should mention anything that you have learned from your target. Only then are you permitted to say so much as a word of rebuttal or criticism.1 How many times have you heard or participated in a conversation that obeys these rules? Such guidelines have gone out of fashion recently, if they were ever followed.”
Walter Sinnott-Armstrong, Think Again: How to Reason and Argue