The feelings of the one who decides , this is where the dilemma has force. Either decision has an undesirable perhaps heartbreaking result. What is God doing that he would put man in a position where he cannot clearly see what is moraly correct but he must act and his action means death for someone?
Dilemmas......What is their Purpose?
by Siddhashunyata 32 Replies latest jw friends
-
-
Introspection
Both the words dilemma and purpose point to dualistic thinking, which is to say it is relative. It does point to a sense of self, because if there is any hesitation then there is a sense of self, even if that sense of self is one that says "I need to be self-sacrificing and do the noble thing." In short, a dilemma can only exist if you view things as separate.
-
Brummie
In the case of siamese twins where one must die for one to live, what is the dilemma? Whichever 'side' appears to be healthiest should be selected to live.
IMO thats was a moral dilemma, the strongest one was only the strongest because it was taking from the other one...either one could have lived if the other was removed. There was the option to leave them as they were, that was all part of the problem, or the dilemma. It was concluded that one of them should be given the right to live, could you, as a parent, have decided without facing a dilemma? What may not be a moral dilemma for you may be a dilemma for someone in that predicament.
whether to switch off life support machines or not
Again, how a dilemma? Firstly, if there is a chance of survival, human compassion dictates extension as long as possible. As to when there is NO chance of recovery or improvement, it comes down to what where the victims wishes....No dilemma....
Again IMO that is a dilemma, its not that black and white, what if the victim is unconcious, it would not be their choice. Whose human compassion dictates extension as long as possible? Some are more compassionate than others. Having expereinced the switching off of a life support machine on a family member, I assure you that it is a dilemma. Especially when people have been known to come out of coma's even though someones human compassion had decided that there was no life in the person. It was only when one persons "human compassion" was challanged that more time was given, allowing for the person in a coma to pull though.
Just my take on things
Brummie
-
Ed
What is the purpose of moral dilemmas? Do they point us to God or to ourselves?
You mean hypothetical ones?
Ourselves. They force us to think about what is really more important to us.
-
Siddhashunyata
Introspection, correct . I'm trying to point out that , in the ordinary sense, dilemmas, as we know them by dualistic thinking, dilemmas point us away from faith in God . That they , dilemmas, in the ordinary sense, turn us inward by way of confusion and disillusionment. They cannot have a God appointed purpose because they do not build faith in God but turn us inward. Therefore the existence of dilemmas, as we know them on the dualistic level, works in the direction of nondualistic thinking and away from the trappings of "Belief". Dilemmas shock the Believer and if he is honest he will be pointed to nonbelief and finally to "what is", neither belief nor nonbelief. But to explain this is not to help some here because what we are talking about is not easily understood.
-
Farkel
Great question, that! I love people who think!
"What is the purpose of moral dilemmas? Do they point us to God or to ourselves?"
Yes. That is yet ANOTHER dilemma. The more dilemmas we face, the more we learn. Such is life. Get used to it. There are lot more dilemmas to face after we've faced a whole bunch of them. Dilemmas are a part of life. Life is full of risks and life is not always comfortable. Get used to it! Ain't it grand?
Siddhashunyata has a name that is not only impossible to spell, it's impossible to pronouce. It has way too many letters! Siddhashunyata said a whole bunch of meaningless bullshit, but thank you for sharing Siddhashunyata. If anyone can see any meaning in Sidd's post (may I call you "Sidd?), I'd sure like to hear about it.
Farkel
Edited by - Farkel on 20 January 2003 23:54:8
-
Siddhashunyata
Ed, yes that's exactly what they do. We reflect and if we believe in God then we reflect on why he allows such things and why he allows men to be in such positions. In that sense dilemmas build "character" but they subvert faith (unless we go into denial). So we ask why would God build character and tear down faith? Confusion sets in and if we don't let it alone disillusionment comes on and ,if we keep at it, we are on our way to a religious crisis. If fear does not overtake us we will begin to ask who am I and what am I doing?
-
Siddhashunyata
Farkel, you may call me Sidd. You are very funny . I like you.
-
Brummie
dilemmas point us away from faith in God ...That they , dilemmas, in the ordinary sense, turn us inward by way of confusion and disillusionment.
Siddhashunyata I see your point. For some people, that is true, and therefore that itself becomes a dilemma, Should I believe or shouldnt i? For others going through the disallusionment causes a reaffirmation of faith in God, they seek answers as to why things happen and they find contentment in the answers, dilemma doesnt always destroy faith.
So I see the point in question, whether dilemmas draw us to ourselves or to God depends on who you are, for some dilemmas can draw you away from God. But then again many poeple never searched for God until faced with a dilemma.
-
Siddhashunyata
Farkel, you may call me Sidd. You are very funny. I like you.