Collective Responsibility -v- Individual Responsibility.

[Aliantha]

Originally Posted by Radar

The character of Spock shares the same belief system as you. He shares the common belief that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or of the one.

No, that's not what I believe Radar. You are once again projecting your interpretation of what I've posted onto what it means.

I never once said that in all cases, the needs of many should be considered above the needs of the individual. Nor did I suggest the contrary. Sometimes the needs of the individual are higher from my point of view, other times they are not. I believe you will find this to be the case for almost every living soul. How I prioritise needs varies from others because of my past life experiences and my current situation as with every other human being on the planet.

Sometimes I even think my needs are more important than anyone elses. Other times I don't. Sometimes I think the needs of my society are more important than my personal needs. Sometimes I think the needs of my children are more important than the needs of other people's children. Sometimes I think other people's childrens needs are more important than my childrens needs. Sometimes I think my needs are more important than my childrens needs. Sometimes I think the needs of a stranger are more important than mine. Are you getting the picture?

As an individual, I can make these judgement calls because I have a social conscience and I'm able to consider the idea that sometimes other people or groups are more important than me.

[Radar]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

Sometimes I even think my needs are more important than anyone elses. Other times I don't. Sometimes I think the needs of my society are more important than my personal needs. Sometimes I think the needs of my children are more important than the needs of other people's children. Sometimes I think other people's childrens needs are more important than my childrens needs. Sometimes I think my needs are more important than my childrens needs. Sometimes I think the needs of a stranger are more important than mine. Are you getting the picture?

As an individual, I can make these judgement calls because I have a social conscience and I'm able to consider the idea that sometimes other people or groups are more important than me.

I say that my needs and those of my loved ones are all that I need to be concerned about...and that is plenty. I put my family above all others on earth. I don't have any responsibility to "society" or a "social conscience". I have an individual conscience, and I consider my individual rights to be more important than the desires or perceived needs of every other person on earth combined.

If everyone on earth did what was best for themselves and practiced self-reliance, most people would have what is best for them.