The irrational delusion of individual responsibility

SpayAndNeuterLibs said:

While sitting in the hospital, I have had a lot of time to think. A good portion of that time was spent thinking about your thread. I know I'm Lame. Still I think I am starting to understand.

Society says we are suppose to be desirable, not all are. Men are suppose to be providers, not all are. Women are suppose to be nurturers, not all are. Thats starting to make sense.

We too often let society dictate what we become. Instead of letting our own nature, and aspects let us be who we are..

I really don't know how to put into words, what I'm trying to say.

Click to expand...

Why were you in the hospital?

I have found that instead of letting society dictate who we are supposed to be, I prefer to find that guidance instead from the Bible. Who does God want me to be, is a far more important question to my mind.

In some respects, being a good non-religious citizen accords with God's will, but in others they are diametrically opposed.

Naturally, i try to find my own course, adhere to my own values. That's probably why Western society tends to shun people like me.

Nonetheless, you can't reasonably deny that we are socialised into our personalities and beliefs, meaning we rely on society to give us the tools to make up our own minds. And however much our moral codes may vary, they will have been influenced by society and individual experience. You can't live without society - well, you can, but that's what results in cases like the "feral children". We are all socialised into who we are. You can't escape that.

I have no idea what Seer Travis Truman is suggesting as a solution - if, indeed, he is offering one - but you cannot run away from sociological reality. From the Truth, if you will. :giggle:

Adagio - I enjoyed reading you very much thank you for the time spent

My only comment as feeble as it is compared with the other members' postings is we write as if the human "creature" as it exists in the here and now is the completed one.

We remain far removed from nirvana or whatever word (does one exist?) for us to respond with an answer to the overwhelming solution of our humanity.

It could consist of eons of time to discover the "right way" of life only - even at that point - to have to obey others' doctrines and rules which run counter to our own.

We have much more to learn and apply in our relatively short existence as we know it. We are nowhere near the reason for
our being.

We are still flawed but learning creatures.

Actually(I think) Individual responsibility isn't only a religious position to hold. Its just interpreted religiously by some. On the other hand, it isn't mean society has no link in the occurring crimes. Individual or Social's responsbility, both can be the right perspective according to specific features of a case but some people have ideological view(condition) on this topic, I guess.

myp said:

Addressing the opening post: so do you believe that no one should be held accountable for whatever they do?

Society does not completely make people the way they are. Even without an established society, we would still have murders and crime. If only society is to blame, then what causes those murders and crime? Or do you just not believe we would see such without a society?

Click to expand...

I agree with you on this. Everyone should assume SOME personal responsibility for their actions. Not everyone in society is a murderer or other criminal, but they were raised in and endured the same societal standards placed on those who are murderers. Some people can go through much trauma from others in society and governments but still have their morals and ethics. They know right from wrong and choose to live responsibly. So murderers and other criminals should carry some, if not all of the responsibility for their actions. The only exception would be those who are proven to be criminally insane.