Here is my first paragraph with thesis which is really the last two sentences. I had a lot of trouble getting what i wanted to say into writing but i think i got it fairly clearly. Please be extremely critical of everything i said and ask lots of hard questions.
As of late, thinking about the state of the world has become a rather depressing pass-time. We face so many issues of such dire importance that it can easily feel overwhelming. It seems as though, regardless of the projected consequences, that we continue practices against our own best interest. In the past this ability to disregard our own self interest was not problematic. It was thought that our existence as a race would not really be put in danger. This, however, is no longer the case and we stare down the very real and sobering possibility of failure as a species. In order to address this problem something radical needs to be done and it needs to happen now. We, as empowered individuals, have the duty to expose the ways in which desire and power are connected so that we can work to shape our desires to promote action that will lead to solutions that will benefit all mankind. In order to do this we must first come to terms with and understand the interconnection of power and desire. The hierarchical ranking of a diverse set of desires is what guides each of us through life. This set of desires forms a structured order within our mind which is the basis for all human action. If we do not have any desire that would guide us toward a particular action we will never perform that action. Conversely, those desires which we prioritize above all of the others cannot be ignored and will be acted upon no matter what. Power is, in essence, the physical representation of desire which allows us to make changes to the world so that it conforms to our desires. Due to the gravity of the problems we face today, it is necessary to expose the ways in which the desires of humans across the world have been manipulated to serve interests that do not coincide with those of the people. In order to ever be able to overcome these problems we must work to consciously re-prioritize our desires, so that they serve our true best interest as well as the best interest of human civilization as a whole.
Eric I think you pose a really interesting argument here!
ReplyDeleteThese are just a few questions which came to mind while reading.
How exactly are we more at risk as a species now than ever before? Throughout history I think civilization always appears to be on the brink of collapse (both world wars and the cold war for example)and we have always escaped that collapse, what specifically makes the current age any different. Moreover, 99.9% of all species over the Earth's history have gone extinct if we are causing all these problems, exhibiting self-destructive tendencies, and not particularly caring if we do, do we deserve escape from extinction?
You mention that "this set of desires forms a structured order within our mind" which part of our mind? the conscious? the unconscious? something else?
I think your argument becomes a little tricky when it comes to thought. Is thought an action? and if so can you therefore think anything that is not in some way related to a desire? What classifies performing an action if you think it? if you complete it to its desired end point? or if you start the action but fail to complete it? Could you give an example of a desire which we prioritize above all others because I feel that no one has a particular desire which outweighs all the rest, it seems more that desires are continually shifting their level of priority depending on numerous external and internal factors.
Who manipulates our desires if we do not manipulate them ourselves, is it social structures (which we have put into place), people who rule (who are people as well), or something else. I also am not clear on what exactly is in the best interests of humanity, can you make such a sweeping generalization? Are you talking in terms of short term benefits, long term benefits, stability, happiness, etc.? It seems like what is in the best interests of a human civilization depends entirely upon the particular civilization (as we are not as of yet composed of one global nation) and do you mean civilization as in the individuals who compose societies or the societies themselves? It seems that what is in the best interests of a society may not always be in the best interest of an individual in that society, how can you remedy this disparity?
And how is it possible to learn to re-prioritize our desires, does this require education, or does simply recognizing that our desires are being manipulated to harm us allow us to re-prioritize them. Also, if they are re-prioritized does this mean they will not longer be manipulated? Finally, is this a plausible real world remedy or more of a platonic utopia that can't be realized in the physical world. Again, I am still unclear of your definition of civilization and I think making that distinct is important.
Some of this probably won't be helpful but I just tried to write everything that came to mind as I was reading. Again, great start!
Catherine asks some great questions. Are structures of desire ontological or historical? How exactly do you relate the two? How exactly can desire go bad? Who or what manipulates our desires. Is there a difference between desire and satisfaction and desire and ideas?
ReplyDeleteIt is a very good start to the paper.
This is so interested Eric! Not what i expected at all, and something extremely unique. I have a few comments though...(and catherines questions are REALLY good...)
ReplyDeleteFirst I would define self interest and best interest. Right at the beginning you say that we are going against our own best interests, and that we disregard our own self interest. are you saying that our self interest and best interest are the same? That we are ignoring both, and just do whatever we want? At the end you also mention that we must re-prioritize our desires to fit our "true best interests". So these are different than the ones that we were following previously? How do you distinguish the two? How do you even figure out what our "true best interests" are (and is everyone's the same)? Do we really not desire our best interests?
"If we do not have any desire that would guide us toward a particular action we will never perform that action. Conversely, those desires which we prioritize above all of the others cannot be ignored and will be acted upon no matter what." These lines are very absolute. Are there really no situations that can disprove these statements? I think your desires change or develop in certain situations, so is there really a ranked system of hierarchical desires?
Overall a good argument. Can't wait for your panel.