The Battle of Values
Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:06 pm
I was pondering on the themes of Justice and Mercy, two values which seem pretty universal to me. As I thought about it, though, I began to think that even though humans greatly value Justice and also Mercy that there are other things that are of great value.
Human life is something of great value. The perception of Freedom or Liberty is another. I'd say that Safety and Comfort are also of high value.
What is interesting to me is that as humans we don't seem to be able to logically and consistently apply these values in our lives and culture. In some cases we throw Life under the bus for the sake of perceived Safety. Other times we throw Mercy and Comfort under the bus for the sake of Life.
How is it decided when one value should take hold over another? And what makes that decision "right" or better than putting a different value first?
How can we, on one hand, say that Life is so precious that ending it (at any part of the lifecycle) is evil, immoral, or criminal and on the other hand be killing innocent people so that we can feel Free or Safe?
Human life is something of great value. The perception of Freedom or Liberty is another. I'd say that Safety and Comfort are also of high value.
What is interesting to me is that as humans we don't seem to be able to logically and consistently apply these values in our lives and culture. In some cases we throw Life under the bus for the sake of perceived Safety. Other times we throw Mercy and Comfort under the bus for the sake of Life.
How is it decided when one value should take hold over another? And what makes that decision "right" or better than putting a different value first?
How can we, on one hand, say that Life is so precious that ending it (at any part of the lifecycle) is evil, immoral, or criminal and on the other hand be killing innocent people so that we can feel Free or Safe?