Current mood:

contemplative

Three things: Fools, Surgery, Morals


APRIL FOOLS!

Now that that's out of the way, some completely serious topics.

My grandfather had brain surgery yesterday - and it's looking like he'll be just fine.

The Passover holiday is coming up soon, and our family usually spends time with my grandparents and other relatives - I just hope we'll still be able to do that.

Surgery can be a tough thing - I've gone through it myself, although it was not anything as sensitive as the brain.

I've been reading some interesting LJ entries on morals, and since this is an issue I have an actual opinion about (GADS!), here are my two cents:

People have instincts. Sometimes these instincts are destructive, other times they are constructive. Protecting your children (cubs): Constructive. Preemptive strike against possible aggressors: Destructive. Whether or not each one is morally right is not relevant, I think.

The problem is that morals is a very subjective term. I think of morals, and I think of a code of conduct that people live by that engenders a productive and positive environment with their peers. But others may have their own opinions.

My morals have several important aspects, but they really come down to one thing: What I feel is right. I feel that it is right to be nice to other people (just try it. You may be surprised at the long reaching effects it can have.). I feel that it is right not to destroy your body with destructive chemicals and drugs (Some may argue that "Hey, it's my body, I can do what I want." True, you CAN do it. But IMO, you SHOULD not do it. I have never touched even a cigarette - although I am allergic to some forms of smoke - much less anything "harder"). But I also feel that that is right to let other people believe as they wish (this, however, precludes those people not carrying out beliefs that would cause them to create a loss of life or freedom of someone else).

I respect people - and that is the least instinctual thing of all.

I believe that we as humans are not "just" animals. Yes, we have an animal body, with animalistic needs, wants, and desires. It has instinctual behavior, true.

But I believe that we should rise above those instincts - because we can. If there are any animals that can do the same, I will grant them equal rights (and there may be a few who can - but certainly not all. Even a dog, which can be extremely affectionate and loyal, is mostly a slave to its own instincts. But do you really think this is the case for most animals? Why is it that people are warned not to raise wild animals, such as lions and bears, etc? No matter how cuddly and friendly they are as cubs (instinct), when they grow up, things change. They will no longer care.)

To sum up, I follow my set of morals because it feels like the right thing to do.

And it feels like the right thing for the world for me to do.

-Jeram