the self

the self either finds itself in habitude, or outside it,

cought between two irreconcilabe extremes.

one either knows oneself in comfortable predictability,

and in the norms which guide routine,

or one knows oneself in the chaos and extitement of the unkown,

in which the stability of convention is opposed.

one requires compliance, the other rejection.

in either one finds freedom; but never in both.

for this is the true irony of human finitude.

The question of always expressing ones opinion

I have become a little unsure of myself recently.

I am an outspoken person, and will express and argue my views against those different from my own. If this happens to offend someone then so be it, they shouldn’t be so touchy. I live in a liberal society in which I think people who get deeply offended at people who don´t agree with them do not belong. In the face of my criticism they might come to their senses and agree with me one day. Who knows, if they can put forward good arguments in favour of their own viewpoint, I might even end up agreeing with them and change my own mind. This is called rational discourse.

The reason I have become unsure of myself is because after examining a few of my own views I have realised that they may not always be in the best interest of the other person, let alone mankind. I may be right in a rational sense (I try to maintain views which I perceive as rational), but what if my views aren’t necessarily the "best" ones – should I keep them to myself?

I realise that what is true for me may not be true for another, even though it maybe should be. Some of my views I am sure do promote a better world and i want other individuals to feel the same freedom and increased power to act i get from my own views. One of these views is that religion is decadent, stifles a more rational understanding of the world, and that its power over human actions should be combated. But some of my views, though rational and appealing to me, may not promote the greater good - such as that people are not always responsible for their actions.

So my question is, should we promote views which we think are true against contradictory opinions, even though they might not lead to a better world? If there was a single truth which we could all agree on if we all thought rationally, then maybe. But as to this I am sceptical. Society generally defines what is true, especially what is "moral" - this is illustrated in the radical different understandings of what is “true” and "moral" which have existed in history. But where does this leave us? If there are only perspectives, then you might as well endorse your own.

So again, is it immoral for me to epxress my views and stand by them, even though i am not sure they would lead to a better world? Probably not, as the goodness of the world doesnt fall under my responsibility. But if it doesnt fall upon individuals, then who´s responsibility does it? Perhaps one should only promote those values which one knows to be in the benefit of all of us, and keep the other ones to ourselves. But where is the fun in this?

Maybe i should keep my mouth shut more oftnen. I dont know, hence I shall ponder on.

Everyone has a book in them - or is it a blog?

Everyone has a book in them - or is it a blog? Either way, this is my blog. The reasons for creating this blog are as yet unclear to me, as is the point behind it (i dont think these are mutually inclusive). If i were to really think, it would be to write. I respect words and their power to create meaning, however meaningless.

But to be honest, the real reason for creating this blog may be to prove, at least to myself, that i am an interesting person. I consider myself quite intelligent - sometimes a little witty even. I also posess the kind of arrogance which enables me to maintain that the vast proportion of the people in this world are deluded. Some find this amusing, some provocative. I have perspectives, as you will no doubt see if i manage to write another post, which i think are worth sharing.

Hang on. "Sharing" implies than anyone else will actually read this blog, so perhaps a less bold claim would be to that i have perspectves which are worth externalising. I dont want to keep them bottled up.

What topics will this blog cover? Well, this is also quite unlcear to me. Most probably a deal of ranting and rhetoric, perhaps even some pseudo-philosophical observations about the world which you might find interesting - but also things which I like, music, literature, films, art... This blog has no "selling point" - but perhaps, like art, this is its point of interest.

Anyways, this is my first post. Writing it felt good, I think i shall write some more.