I like the approach of two dimensional analysis of inertia. Looking upstream at how good things could be if you resolve an issue AND looking downstream at why you hesitate is a very holistic approach. I think most people only pick one of the two options. Not sure why..
What keeps me up most nights (including tonight) is a crying baby 😵💫.
Jokes aside, I find it interesting that what you propose is very similar to what Aristotle does in the Niconachean ethics, but the outcome at the end is somewhat different. When Aristotle goes up, he comes to the conclusion that he and all men are ultimately seeking eudaimonia, which is the primary intrinsic goal. When he comes down, he posits that the way to achieve eudaimonia is through the acquisition of virtue, which in truth largely comes from habituation shaping a person over time. It seems to me that your framework is compatible with the idea of a "virtue layer" that exists between intrinsically valuable goals and concrete steps/actions/habits, but it doesn't necessarily require it. Do you think there is a set of virtues that is valuable for all people, regardless of their background, goals, etc. to pursue in order to flourish? How would you go about defining them?
I'm still not sure that there are aspirations every person/system has, so I cannot really answer your question. I've heard people describe virtues as dispositions: a courageous person, for instance, tends not to shy away from conflict and risk. Thinking of myself in terms of dispositions, identifying my habits, I have been able to better make plans based on my aspirations. For instance, "I write essays regularly" (an aspiration) requires that "I spend time writing essays", and, knowing that I tend to lack self-control, "I spend most of my time on campus" where I don't need to practice as much self-control. Most people would benefit from the practices I suggest in my essays, and you may think of those as dispositions, and come to term a virtue! Consistency, perhaps? Rationality?
Hmm I think a lot of the things you talk about could be considered aspects of phronesis - the intellectual virtue of making good practical judgments that lead towards one's own flourishing. But maybe I'm just shoehorning it because I like Aristotle's schema 🤷.
What keeps me up at night are generally things I should have done, but haven’t yet… but I can control them and deal with them the next day. Rarely do they repeat night after night. I like the idea of the pole!
I like the approach of two dimensional analysis of inertia. Looking upstream at how good things could be if you resolve an issue AND looking downstream at why you hesitate is a very holistic approach. I think most people only pick one of the two options. Not sure why..
A good reminder to figure out what matters and focus on that.
What keeps me up most nights (including tonight) is a crying baby 😵💫.
Jokes aside, I find it interesting that what you propose is very similar to what Aristotle does in the Niconachean ethics, but the outcome at the end is somewhat different. When Aristotle goes up, he comes to the conclusion that he and all men are ultimately seeking eudaimonia, which is the primary intrinsic goal. When he comes down, he posits that the way to achieve eudaimonia is through the acquisition of virtue, which in truth largely comes from habituation shaping a person over time. It seems to me that your framework is compatible with the idea of a "virtue layer" that exists between intrinsically valuable goals and concrete steps/actions/habits, but it doesn't necessarily require it. Do you think there is a set of virtues that is valuable for all people, regardless of their background, goals, etc. to pursue in order to flourish? How would you go about defining them?
I'm still not sure that there are aspirations every person/system has, so I cannot really answer your question. I've heard people describe virtues as dispositions: a courageous person, for instance, tends not to shy away from conflict and risk. Thinking of myself in terms of dispositions, identifying my habits, I have been able to better make plans based on my aspirations. For instance, "I write essays regularly" (an aspiration) requires that "I spend time writing essays", and, knowing that I tend to lack self-control, "I spend most of my time on campus" where I don't need to practice as much self-control. Most people would benefit from the practices I suggest in my essays, and you may think of those as dispositions, and come to term a virtue! Consistency, perhaps? Rationality?
Hmm I think a lot of the things you talk about could be considered aspects of phronesis - the intellectual virtue of making good practical judgments that lead towards one's own flourishing. But maybe I'm just shoehorning it because I like Aristotle's schema 🤷.
Either way, keep up the good work!
Thank you! Phronesis is a new keyword to look into… 🔍
What keeps me up at night are generally things I should have done, but haven’t yet… but I can control them and deal with them the next day. Rarely do they repeat night after night. I like the idea of the pole!