Emerson.
I have this on my wall, as I am misunderstood multiple times each day. I don’t know that I am great, but I am certainly misunderstood. In fact, I can’t recall ever being understood with regard to any of my more complex ideas.
One must have some ego to keep slugging, and this is one bit I grant myself.
2 replies on “To be great is to be misunderstood”
-I have found this to be true of myself as well. I stumbled upon the goodness blog and writings earlier today. I guess in a way I had been searching for it as I am always searching in some way or another. I attempt to experience and gain understanding through experience. I have found comfort in your writings as I have found that the philosopher's mind is still alive in a society bombarded by materialism. I look forward to reading more of your writing, although may or may not agree with some of it as I am sure you do not even agree with all of it as you have recognized that the process of conscious debate and thought formation is in a way, although perhaps undefinable, set but fluid process.
Anyways,
I thought I would reach out to you and let you know that your writings have made a difference in my day. I written many things about altruism and human connection. It is what I have dedicated my life to in many ways. I would like to ask if you believe your goodness theory to be 100% will work. I assume, no, for nothing can ever be known or proved 100%, at least from my opinion and Socrates.
I will end for now. I would be interested in hearing your comments, for as I said, it is rare to find someone to converse with in this manner or about these topics.
Have a nice day.
Thanks for your feedback. I'm glad to hear you find at least some of my ideas useful.
Ad far as "100%", I define, for pragmatic reasons, the truth as that which works to achieve the intended effect. I define Goodness as " Being able both to live happily on ones own, and to share pleasure in the happiness of others". To the extent my ideas work to achieve this outcome they are true.
I think it would be foolish to assume my ideas cannot be improved upon. It would also be boring for me. At the same time, I do believe my three core values are both necessary and sufficient, over some time horizon, to reliably build Goodness, as I have defined it.