Suppose that the whole universe were to be saved and made perfect and happy forever on just one condition: one single soul must suffer, alone, eternally. Would this be acceptable? Philosopher William James asked that in his 1891 book, The Moral Philosopher and the Moral Life . Please think about it once again and answer the question for yourself. You, as well as others, are going to live a life without a tinge of sorrow. Joyful existence. Life in Paradise. The only condition is that one person will take up all the sorrows of the universe on him-/herself and suffer – alone, eternally. What do you say? James’s answer is a firm no . “Not even a god would be justified in setting up such a scheme,” James asserted, knowing too well how the Bible justified a positive answer to his question. “It is expedient that one man should die for the people, so that the nation can be saved” [John 11:50]. Jesus was that one man in the Biblical vision of redemption. I was reading a Malayalam period...
If you are not a flatterer, you cannot be a party worker. Simple.
ReplyDeleteRE
Thank me for not confusing you with real poetry.
Delete:) That's a great wish.
ReplyDeleteIndeed and I'm determined to master the art. :)
Deletesimple but well said :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ankur.
DeleteI don't want to be a party worker. In fact, even if I try for it, I am sure I would fail spectacularly in that endeavor.
ReplyDeleteI know. And you also know :)
DeleteNext, are you going to apply for the post of Principal to form a party?
ReplyDeleteWings, my name in the Church (baptism register) is Thomas. Got it?
DeleteYou either have it or you don't. I don't think it can be cultivated in adult life!
ReplyDeleteYes, Mridula, you can't teach old dogs new tricks, as the wise men said long ago :) And I'm realising it in practice!
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