Questioning What, When, How, Why, and Ethics

 

“All things are subject to interpretation. Whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.”

-- Friedrich Nietzsche

What is the relationship between our perception of reality and the actual reality itself?

That would depend on if you’re perceiving reality as it is, or if you’re perceiving “reality” as you’d like it to be. We tend to think we see things as they are, but can we stand back and think about what we saw? Can we “debunk” the paranormal in order to reset the truth as we expected it to be instead of what our mind mistakenly thought it was? Or, vice versa? 

Would anyone follow anything for what it is or from the eye of the beholder especially when they are the beholder and which one is always best and is either, both or neither relevant or irrelevant in any case, every statement and everything else?

Wha... What?

When do you believe your intuition and when do you not?

When the facts tend to validate my intuition, I’m apt to believe it.

Q: “What does your intuition say about that woman?”

A: “She’s been divorced four times, so my intuition says she isn’t going to be good for you.”

What do greedy people have going for them?

A lot of crap they bought but really don’t need, or really can’t afford.

What is the relationship between our perception of reality and the actual reality itself?

That would depend on if you’re perceiving reality as it is, or if you’re perceiving “reality” as you’d like it to be. We tend to think we see things as they are, but can we stand back and think about what we saw? Can we “debunk” the paranormal in order to reset the truth as we expected it to be instead of what our mind mistakenly thought it was? Or, vice versa? 

What is the definition of a "perfect" life, and why do we strive for it?

True happiness! We should strive for it always and in all things, regardless of our circumstances.

“The highlights you see on social media is not real life. Everyone you know faces their own challenges and struggles. Nobody’s life is perfect, so it’s pointless to compare or judge. Instead, be kind to yourself and others as often as you can.”

-- Anthon St. Maarten

Is there someone so stupid they believe they are more intelligent than someone more intelligent?

Most Congressmen and Senators would fill this list. 

How can people lie politely?

If you’re not lying politely, you’re in politics. People always lie politely or others see right through the lie. If you’re really good, you see right through the politeness, as well. The problem with lying is, sooner or later, not even you can tell your lies from the truth without thinking about them. Better we should all tell the truth, especially if you’re in politics where they find it hard to keep track of their own bullshit.

Do you like to make mistakes on purpose?

Making mistakes on purpose is not very constructive. I did this in the Air Force to test people and our procedures. To my way of thinking, this is the only reason for it.

Why am I constantly judged for keeping my place messy?

I don’t like to judge, but let me see if I can put myself in someone else’s shoes:

“Hey, if you prefer to live in a pigsty, so be it. It is your place, after all. I wouldn’t sit down, since I don’t know what was on the seat. I wouldn’t enact the “30-second rule” if I dropped food, for fear of what's on the floor. Basically, I don’t care how you keep your place, just don’t expect me to come to visit. I don’t judge you, I just live a cleaner lifestyle to protect my health and well-being.”

I’m sure you’re probably hearing worse. This is one end of the spectrum. Not seeing your place it would be hard to honestly comment, much less judge. To me, you have a choice. Clean up your place or ignore those who judge. Personally, I like having people over for drinks.  

Is asking about someone still considered gossip?

Talking about other people is gossip. Asking about them is a show of concern. If you tell the person asking that you heard the person was frequenting hookers on the main boulevard, this would be gossip.

“How would your life be different if…You walked away from gossip and verbal defamation? Let today be the day…You speak only the good you know of other people and encourage others to do the same.”

-- Steve Maraboli

What’s your opinion on: “What do good and bad humans have in common? Most members of good, and bad factions love money and longevity.”?

They both have life, and both will die. How they view money and longevity probably differs, so is it really a commonality? How they live the life they have in “common” is also different, as one lives for bad and the other for good.

What are the good behaviors of successful people?

Perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds.

Why do some creative people radiate unpleasant energy, as if they want me to envy their creativity and put them on a pedestal?

Inflated ego. They think they are more than what they create, and they usually are not. Have you noticed that most artists never live to see the true value of their work? Those that can, do. Those that can’t, teach. I’ve had many egotistical art instructors, that gave me poor grades and, yet, I’ve sold more paintings to institutions overseas than they ever did. Always strive to be humble in everything you do, and teach for success, like you know the student is the next Picasso. They will appreciate the effort.

How can you identify an honest friend?

I would need to know their thoughts, and how they respect their personal and moral code of ethics. Bullshit is pretty easy to identify.

Do you live your life based on your gut or the opinion of others?

I live my life based on the choices and decisions I make. I might ask other people how they went about accomplishing something, but, at the end of the day, how I accomplish it is what matters. It is my choice and my decision. If I choose to follow an opinion, my “gut” will have me critique what they did to see if it has validity for my life. Everything we do in life is our choice or our decision. We choose to listen to opinions, or we choose to blaze our own trail.  What we choose determines our destiny. 

“Feelings do not always determine truth, but they can sometimes tell you what is true.”

-- J.R. Rim

Why do geniuses seem stupid before you get to know them?

If I think a genius is stupid, getting to know them would make them a stupid genius that I took the time to get to know.

Should good people get eternal solitary confinement if loners get eternal forced socializing?

If I understand the question right, loners, then, are not “good” people?

What are the most common reasons why people steal and what can we do to dramatically decrease or prevent others from stealing and robbing?

Shoot them. The reasons they steal are immaterial. They have no right to take that which does not belong to them. If you’re after “dramatically” decreasing what they do, make it legal to shoot them for stealing from society.

Is it ever morally wrong to do what is right?

No. If it is moral, it is right. If it weren’t right, it would be immoral.

Are there any ethical implications to the decisions we make?

If the decisions you make are unethical, of course. If they are ethical, anyone involved in unethical conduct had better take notice. An “unethical decision” is like firing a blunderbuss, it takes out everything in front of it, ethical or not.

“The notion of a natural propensity for vice is essential to Sadeian psychology; vice is innate, as is virtue if social conditions are unalterable. This straitjacket psychology relates his fiction directly back to the black-and-white ethical world of fairy tale and fable; it is in conflict with his frequently expounded general theory of moral relativity, that good and evil are not the same thing at all times and in all places.”

-- Angela Carter

Who is your happiness role model and why?

Gyalwa Rinpoche, the 14th Dalai Lama. I’ve never heard that he has ever angered. He smiles constantly, and his philosophy is based on peace, love, understanding, and knowledge.

What are the consequences of judging someone as rude?

You are rude at some point in the future. Never judge lest you be judged. 

How do you make decisions when all of the options are bad?

Take the least bad option, pass the decision up the chain of command, or take no action until a better option comes along. I had this happen in the Air Force. I called the commander, explained the situation, and asked for guidance. He said to choose the least destructive option. Done. It fell apart, but it was always going to fall apart because all the options were that bad. We were applauded for making a decision, for taking the least destructive route, even though we knew it was going to fail.

Will approximately 20 million dollars last you about 18 months?

What the hell are you blowing $20 million on? I can put that much money to work selflessly and sustainably for many years to come.

If we are only mortal beings, why does it matter how we live our lives?

Many of us are mortal beings that believe in morality and ethical conduct. It matters little how you live your life. You can live it free or in prison. You can have a short life or a long one. You can be happy or sad. You can be celibate or screw your eyes out. But, most of us choose to live in a society that follows a “rule of law” that explains how our freedom works for us. If we were immortal, we would still choose to obey a “rule of law” or chaos would set in.

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

-- Albert Einstein

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com