Axis Mundi X discussion

This is a great quote that I had to share.

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.

~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

A nice quote for sure, but I think this is what leads to "bleeding heart...". At some point, the brain has to kick in. Otherwise, we're all a bunch of fat Al Gores roaming the countryside.

Even common sense can be felt in the heart. I mean, how practical for it to continue beating to keep us alive even when it's broken. And, ultimately, it is ruled by the brain.

It is fine for the individual to feel their way through life. It is not proper for an elected leader to do it. Facts, not feelings are needed when planning tthe future.

Servius Sextus Heiner wrote: "It is fine for the individual to feel their way through life. It is not proper for an elected leader to do it. Facts, not feelings are needed when planning tthe future. "

I would disagree. Facts without empathy or mercy do nothing for humanity's future. (I make the exception, of course, for scientific experimentation and observation, but those are only aspects, albeit important ones, of a civilization.)

On a separate note, if the human experience, with all of its messy emotions, many of which are actually ingrained in our brain chemistry through genetics, is ignored while planning the future, how successfully can those plans be carried out by humans?

WELL SAID METHINKS..

Facts without empathy or mercy do nothing for humanity's future. (I make the exception, of course, for scientific experimentation and observation, but those are only aspects, albeit important ones, of a civilization.)

I disagree with you both, empathy has no place when debating issues of policy.

Servius, do you have political aspirations? Or are you currently in position of political power?

My concern is that when you remove empathy you run the risk of becoming sociopathic. Empathy is something that sociopaths cannot feel. Public policy must also be ethical and ethics must be more than the cold interpretation of law.

Ethics/ethical...I don't think anyone can put those words in the same paragraph with politics; let alone assert that they must be hand and hand.

Then politicians should not have anything to do with policy.

I agree with Catalina....

Servius' observation, while possibly being true, is the statement of defeat for the cynical. Ethics must be the principal occupation (at least philosophically) of us all if we are ever to move toward justice.

No political system is perfect and they are all subject to corruption, even as grand an experimient in democracy as ours. But, that is why we must engage in discussions regarding ethics.

Are things going to change on a grand sweeping scale? Doubtful, given the biggest problem of democracy is diviristy of opinion and access to the political process. But, inefficent as it is it is still one of the grandest schemes to achieve liberty, justice and equality possible.

Jeebus Todd, "..while possibly true". Are you kidding me? You say things aren't going to change on a grand, sweeping scale. You're not paying attention. They're changing now, as we type. Better wake up. You might not like what's coming.

Hey Not Bill:

I beg your pardon...I wasn't very clear. Your response rings true. I am already unhappy in many ways about what is coming down the pipleline as it is.

I think I was having several conversations within my head when I wrote it.

What I so obliquely attmepting to communicate (and really wasn't necessarily part of the conversation) was that the rhetoric of change that the ambitious O adminsistration promised is unrealistic and given the nature of politics and the people inclined to power not going to happen anytime soon - if at all.

I was musing on ethics, politicans, public policy etc. Serv's observation about politician's started me in that direction.