Is the world getting better? (morality, nature, western, self)
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Comparing to the last 50 to 100 years is the world getting better in terms of morality and crime?
The technology has advanced beyond doubt in the last 50 to 100 years, but do we get better or worse in morality and in crime?
If we all agree to the latter statement, what do you think is the profound reason? I know there are multiple factors but if we water it down to one reason what do you think it is? And is there any way to correct this?
I think it is. While the argument that the ongoing stories about crime, disaster and violence only show that it is being dealt with more sounds like a feeble excuse, i have read enough history to come to think that the stuff that comes out now just went on unnoticed as nobody knew nor cared.
TV and the internet plus on the spot mobile phones is a considerable part of this. While there is much to criticize and much that seems to be worse, by and large I am optimistic.
The public at large needs to think for itself and not have the wool pulled over its eyes. The free access to what's going on and not just what the authorities want us to know is an ongoing part of that. I just wish that the general populace would take on the mental tools needed to process that data, but that process is not yet on the table.
I think it is. While the argument that the ongoing stories about crime, disaster and violence only show that it is being dealt with more sounds like a feeble excuse, i have read enough history to come to think that the stuff that comes out now just went on unnoticed as nobody knew nor cared.
TV and the internet plus on the spot mobile phones is a considerable part of this. While there is much to criticize and much that seems to be worse, by and large I am optimistic.
The public at large needs to think for itself and not have the wool pulled over its eyes. The free access to what's going on and not just what the authorities want us to know is an ongoing part of that. I just wish that the general populace would take on the mental tools needed to process that data, but that process is not yet on the table.
If I were to answer this question:
If only one answer is allowed, mine would be 'because the West has changed'.
If we divide the world into East and West, there hasn't been much change in the East in terms of spirituality, at least it's not worse if not better.
Teenagers tends to copy and take role model from Western culture through media, especially from movies and music. Morality of the teenagers may depend upon these sources.
So, what is the profound change in the West that may affect the media?
Is it drugs, or alcohol, acceptable social standards or something else?
Comparing to the last 50 to 100 years is the world getting better in terms of morality and crime?
The technology has advanced beyond doubt in the last 50 to 100 years, but do we get better or worse in morality and in crime?
If we all agree to the latter statement, what do you think is the profound reason? I know there are multiple factors but if we water it down to one reason what do you think it is? And is there any way to correct this?
This is very dependent on your views of morality, but if you boil it down to things that we can mostly agree on, yes the world has improved substantially over time. I don't think there is a single factor or even a few overriding factors. The changes in human perspective over the course of recorded history have been profound. 100 years ago, we were arguing if women should vote, and denying black Americans their lawful right to participate in government through socially acceptable, but illegal, violence. As such I don't think there is anything we need to correct, we just need to continue...
I would recomment Stephen Pinker's book, "The Beter Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined". He provides a lot of evidence that globally humanity has been drastically reducing the scope and impact of violence ever since we started forming communities. It is a really interesting book, and certainly makes a good case that much of the conventional wisdom about how the old days were better is, at least in terms of violent death, inaccurate. I saw him speak afew weeks ago, and it was very thought provoking.
This is very dependent on your views of morality, but if you boil it down to things that we can mostly agree on, yes the world has improved substantially over time. I don't think there is a single factor or even a few overriding factors. The changes in human perspective over the course of recorded history have been profound. 100 years ago, we were arguing if women should vote, and denying black Americans their lawful right to participate in government through socially acceptable, but illegal, violence. As such I don't think there is anything we need to correct, we just need to continue...
I would recomment Stephen Pinker's book, "The Beter Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined". He provides a lot of evidence that globally humanity has been drastically reducing the scope and impact of violence ever since we started forming communities. It is a really interesting book, and certainly makes a good case that much of the conventional wisdom about how the old days were better is, at least in terms of violent death, inaccurate. I saw him speak afew weeks ago, and it was very thought provoking.
-NoCapo
I don't think violence has declined; if we put aside conventional wars, violence has increased since many people are dying every minute in this world; religious fanatics are killing more people, lunatic youngsters are killing indiscriminately at colleges etc..
There is no doubt injustices in humanity may have improved, but violence in general has increased I believe.
I don't think violence has declined; if we put aside conventional wars, violence has increased since many people are dying every minute in this world; religious fanatics are killing more people, lunatic youngsters are killing indiscriminately at colleges etc..
There is no doubt injustices in humanity may have improved, but violence in general has increased I believe.
This is why I mentioned the Pinker book. It is conventional wisdom that violence is increasing. Pinker contends that if you adjust for global populations, violence per capita (specifically violent deaths per capita) has steadily declined, and is at virtually the lowest point in history. The violence we have is sensationalized and broadcast globally, so we are more aware of it, but he has a bewildering amount of data that shows that global violence has decreased incredibly, and is still declining. In short, he presents a lot of evidence that the entire premise of an increasingly violent world is just plain wrong. It certainly made me rethink a lot of what I thought about history and violence.
Well at the touch of a red button a vast majority of the planet's 6 billion so population could be wiped out via nuclear war. Is the problem the technology or is it the people?
The people due to their sin.
Only when the sin issue is dealt with can mankind have their utopia. The problem is our sin nature, which will be put away upon the return of Jesus Christ to set up his Kingdom.
Mankind can only deal with the sin issue through Socialistic oppression as we've seen in the past.
Well at the touch of a red button a vast majority of the planet's 6 billion so population could be wiped out via nuclear war. Is the problem the technology or is it the people?
The people due to their sin.
Only when the sin issue is dealt with can mankind have their utopia. The problem is our sin nature, which will be put away upon the return of Jesus Christ to set up his Kingdom.
Mankind can only deal with the sin issue through Socialistic oppression as we've seen in the past.
There is a large population of people on this planet who share this subconscious thinking. Even atheists who are completely physically focused. That is fine. It is OK to have diversity of thought.
Others are released from this thinking when they acknowledge their freedom to live without guilt. This has a similar effect to the Christian who receives redemption of sin through Jesus Christ. Many people are awakening to a new sense of allowing. Allowing is like forgiving except you are not finding fault. They are attracting and promoting wellness like never before. They are appreciating the beauty around them without depending on what other people think.
That is a very difficult question, I spent many hours pondering it. The answer is quite obviously, no.
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