We put all our efforts in getting hold on our Self in this project. We want to know what it means to be an individual, a Self, a unique and authentic being.
I have come to one observation at least. What we call our Self is not a stable and unchanging state of being, but an evolving process through time.
A second observation is, that, though we are convinced that this or that is really part of my true Self, someone else could say to me:
"Herman, please, stop this.....you are not yourself. That is not you....take a break." And that's what friends are for :-)
The quintessence in the whole story is individualism: the claim that every human organism is a unique individual person.
However, though we may be individuals, we all live together on this planet. And that is where it all starts: how can we protect our authenticity and uniqueness in the crowd?
The interesting thing here is, that this individualism and being an authentic Self is quite theoretical, because homo sapiens is just a social animal and lives in groups.
Yet we have this longing for being an authentic individual. Thence the question: how can we organize this?
The most fascinating to observe today is that a political world power, the United States in this case, has become an interesting example of attempts to answer this question
In the previous lecture we got acquainted with the distinction between negative and positive freedom.
This dichotomy, used by Isaiah Berlin in 1958, was already described by Erich Fromm, the Frankfurt-born psychoanalyst, in 1941 in his book "Escape from Freedom".
Fromm distinguishes between 'freedom from' (negative freedom) and 'freedom to' (positive freedom).
The former refers to emancipation from restrictions such as social conventions placed on individuals by other people or institutions.
This is the kind of freedom typified by the existentialism of Sartre, and has often been fought for historically,
but according to Fromm, on its own it can be a destructive force unless accompanied by a creative element,
'freedom to' the use of freedom to employ spontaneously the total integrated personality in creative acts.
Fromm examines democracy and freedom. Modern democracy and the industrialised nation are models he praises,
but it is stressed, that the kind of external freedom provided by this kind of society can never be utilised to the full without an equivalent inner freedom.
Fromm suggests that though we are free from totalitarian influence of any sorts in this kind of society, we are still dominated by the advice of experts and the influence of advertising.
The way to become free as an individual is to be spontaneous in our self-expression and in the way we behave.
This is crystallised in his existential statement "there is only one meaning of life: the act of living it". Fromm counters suggestions that this might lead to social chaos
by claiming that being truly in touch with our humanity is to be truly in touch with the needs of those with whom we share the world.
In politics this "truly in touch with the needs of those with whom we share the world" translates into the dichotomy: Night-watchman State versus Wellfare State.
In the US it translates into Republicans versus Democrates....but from my perspective, there it has become a Clash of Cultures
Next lecture we'll elaborate on this dichotomy: Night-watchman State versus Welfare State and how to be yourself.
Thank you for your attention again...^_^
The Discussion
[13:22] herman Bergson: Take your time to think this over :-)
[13:23] Ciska Riverstone: thank you herman
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well what can I say, freedom is important
[13:24] herman Bergson: but it is fredom FROM and/or freedom to....
[13:25] Ciska Riverstone: or outer versus inner one
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah
[13:25] herman Bergson: freedom from any coercion....that is what John Stuart MIll put forward as liberal freedom
[13:25] CB Axel: Are we "dominated by the advice of experts"? I like hearing what experts have to say. It's better than listening to uninformed jerks on Facebook.
[13:26] herman Bergson: I agree CB...
[13:26] CB Axel: Also, my freedom from fear is being affected by other people's freedom to carry guns.
[13:27] herman Bergson: BEsides Faceboook can never really be a source of reliable information
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:27] CB Axel: And the people who want to carry guns see that as a way to have their own freedom from fear.
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): both of those
[13:27] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i like to listen experts and then I can deside by myself what to do
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): everyone shoots everyone = everyone dead, noone to have any freedon anymore
[13:27] herman Bergson: That CB, is a typical American problem....
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): insane
[13:28] CB Axel: Facebook can be a source of reliable information, but that information, like that of any source, needs to be verified.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): also true
[13:28] herman Bergson: Not a single European country (where most Amercans came from) allows citizens to posses guns
[13:28] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i even have never seen a gun
[13:28] Dien (djdien.bailey) is offline.
[13:28] herman Bergson: I am really flabbergasted by this weapon obsession by Americans
[13:29] CB Axel: If someone puts up a post on FB saying that CB Axel has died, I'm going to check at least one more source to verify that information.
[13:29] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): only in a museum..a very old one
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true, i would indeed not feel safe if everyone was prepared to shoot me at anytime
[13:29] CB Axel: I agree, Bejiita.
[13:29] herman Bergson: Just the thought that private people around me are carrying guns....so absurd
[13:30] CB Axel: But I think the people who think guns are necessary believe that there is a threat around every corner.
[13:30] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): do young Americans think that life is a computergame?
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have used guns a lot though, done a lot of target practice with one at work who is a hunter
[13:30] Ciska Riverstone whispers: did you know the irony bout that?
[13:30] roos Gartner is offline.
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): good coordination training and making a little noise is fun sometimes
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:30] CB Axel: They believe the hype the media tells them that crime is everywhere.
[13:31] Ciska Riverstone whispers: (just read that since trump is president the gun sale dropped 30 % - with remington going bankrupped now)
[13:31] CB Axel: I can understand the fun of target practice, but the guns should be kept at the target range and not carried everywhere, imo.
[13:31] herman Bergson: Yes indeed Ciska....
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i thought the opposite would be true since he is basically insane
[13:31] herman Bergson: no no Bejiita....
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): even if i have actually heard a FEW good things from him
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): note a few, not many
[13:32] herman Bergson: The explanation is that under Trump there won't come restrictive laws on weapn possession
[13:32] CB Axel: That's right, Ciska. Gun sales go up with Democrats have the White House and Congress because people are convinced that the Dems will try to restrict gun sales.
[13:32] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): who can deside if you going to live or die?
[13:32] CB Axel: In the US, apparently, anyone can.
[13:32] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): so people bunker guns?
[13:33] herman Bergson: the gun, Beertje...no..the trigger
[13:33] Ciska Riverstone: yes - but there u can see the psychology of all of that is really nuts.
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and now they feel they done need to
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): dont
[13:33] herman Bergson: The AMerican Dresm...How to be your true self...Get a gun
[13:33] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): so freedom doens't exsist in the US
[13:34] herman Bergson: dream
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and shoot everyone on sight
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sigh
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least some seem to think that
[13:34] herman Bergson: not necessarily Bejiita...:-)
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): violence feeds violence
[13:34] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): = big problem
[13:35] Second Life: Beertje Beaumont gave you Drugs_Cypress Hill Joint (animated Joint).
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): shall we ever be free?
[13:36] CB Axel: The news media lead us to believe that there is crime everywhere, but when I ask people I know if they've or anyone they know personally has ever been a victim of violent crime they can't think of any. Yet, they're convinced that they need to walk around with concealed weapons.
[13:36] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): we are even a prisoner of our own bodies
[13:36] herman Bergson: Did you ever watch TV CB...:-)
[13:37] herman Bergson: Dozens of Crime series...
[13:37] herman Bergson: All US made
[13:37] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): hmm yes, too many
[13:37] CB Axel: Even when I had a TV, I rarely watched those shows. I prefer comedies. °͜°
[13:37] herman Bergson: I am watching a series which is totally bizar.....at the moment
[13:37] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): i never watch them
[13:38] CB Axel: What show is that, Herman?
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:38] herman Bergson: I watch to be amazed again and again about how bizar it is....
[13:38] herman Bergson: it is called Criminal MInds....
[13:38] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): there is always a nerdin the show that knows it all
[13:38] herman Bergson: The series has 227 episodes !!!!!
[13:38] CB Axel: I never watched that.
[13:39] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): wow, a lot to watch Herman
[13:39] herman Bergson: and every episode is about how to catch a serial killer...
[13:39] Ciska Riverstone: have some fun herman and switch to Murdoch Mysteries ;)
[13:39] herman Bergson: conclusion is...the US is infested with serial killers
[13:40] CB Axel: I do listen to a podcast about true crime. It's interesting, and has taught me to stay away from weirdos.
[13:40] herman Bergson: If you look at the underlying psychology.....so American....
[13:40] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): don't forget the violent computergames
[13:41] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): averyone shoots everyone
[13:41] herman Bergson: Because one of your postings on FB , CB, I saw a video...
[13:41] CB Axel: Which posting was that?
[13:41] herman Bergson: a woman in court....had ignored a red stopping light....
[13:42] herman Bergson: judge asked her 9 year old daughter...why...
[13:42] herman Bergson: the kid said....there was a man at the sidewalk and my mom didnt dare to stop...
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): because was afraid he would shoot them?
[13:43] herman Bergson: yes or open the door of the car and so on...
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): crazy
[13:44] CB Axel: Those things do happen, but not as often as people here think they do.
[13:44] herman Bergson: I never would get the idea that anyone here ever would do that
[13:44] Ciska Riverstone: it seems to totally depend...
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): seems they cant separate fiction from reality
[13:45] CB Axel: I had a gym bag stolen from the front seat of my car while I was stopped at a light, but having a gun on me wouldn't have prevented that. The gun probably would have been stolen, too.
[13:45] Ciska Riverstone: a friend of mine in here was in shock some weeks ago because the police came to arrest her co-worker
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): tv and games are not reality, well unless they are based on actual facts and not made up fantasy things like most are
[13:45] Ciska Riverstone: he had shot his wife and went to work for three more days as if nothing had happend.
[13:45] CB Axel: Wow!
[13:45] herman Bergson: Really???
[13:45] Ciska Riverstone: she could not grasp it
[13:45] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): WOO GET NAKED!!!!!!
[13:45] Ciska Riverstone: yes
[13:45] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ohh
[13:45] CB Axel: Where did he get a gun?
[13:46] Ciska Riverstone: she wa totally in shock
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako) whispers: damn need to reprogram that one!
[13:46] Ciska Riverstone: seems he had one
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that sounds horrific
[13:46] Ciska Riverstone: she is in oregon
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): shudders
[13:46] CB Axel: Oh.
[13:46] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): you can buy a gun in Belgium
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): scary stuff
[13:46] herman Bergson: You mean it happened in the US, Ciska??
[13:46] Ciska Riverstone: but she is totally shaken now about how to trust
[13:46] Ciska Riverstone: yes
[13:47] Ciska Riverstone: a friend in here
[13:47] Ciska Riverstone: know her for years
[13:47] CB Axel: People like to point out that Chicago has a high murder rate, but Illinois (the state Chicago is in) has rather strict gun laws. They use that as proof that gun laws don't work.
[13:47] CB Axel: What they don't bother to look into is that the gun laws in neighboring states are much less strict.
[13:47] herman Bergson: CB...it is utter nonsense that private persons should have guns...period
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well carry in weapons from there and the law is useless
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats simple
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and logical
[13:48] CB Axel: A person in Chicago can literally walk across the street into Indiana, buy a gun, and walk back into strict Illinois and shoot someone.
[13:48] herman Bergson: The right to violence is to the Government only
[13:48] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:48] CB Axel: That's why we need nation-wide gun laws.
[13:49] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): ask Trump to realize that CB
[13:49] CB Axel: LOL
[13:49] herman Bergson: The problem is that that is a lost cause CB....
[13:49] CB Axel: That's a good one, Beertje.
[13:49] herman Bergson: whatever law you make in the US....
[13:49] CB Axel: I needed a laugh. hehehe
[13:49] herman Bergson: there are more guns in the US than inhabitants
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): MORE WEAPONS, MORE NUCLEAR BOMBS, MORE POLLUTION (Trump)
[13:50] CB Axel: But actually only a small percentage of Americans own a large amount of guns.
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sigh
[13:50] herman Bergson: owning one is enough...
[13:50] herman Bergson: and a lot do
[13:50] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): this weapon issue is a problem fr sure, just look at these school shootings and you have the proof right there
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): their response: "Give teachers guns"
[13:51] herman Bergson: We are of topic..but ok...but indeed Bejiita..have you seenthe statistics over th eyears....shocking!
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): eeee NO! thats NOT the solution
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but they think
[13:51] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that it is
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): guns do not = freedom
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats a fact
[13:52] CB Axel: You will never convince me that the solution to gun violence is more guns.
[13:52] CB Axel: Never.
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): very true CB
[13:52] herman Bergson: Welll..maybe you touch the basic belief there Bejiita....
[13:52] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): just a never ending spiral of violence and murder
[13:53] herman Bergson: GUN = FREEDOM according to AMercan belief....
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sigh
[13:53] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): it never can be freedom
[13:53] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed not
[13:53] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): free to shoot a person?
[13:53] CB Axel: Well, a lot of people think that owning a gun makes them tough and macho. They ignore the fact that small children, toddlers, shoot people. So they're as tough and macho as a 3 year old.
[13:54] herman Bergson: I think they love to refer to the Wild West and th egun slingers here
[13:54] CB Axel: That's what I'm afraid of, Herman.
[13:54] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats for sure something you want to be free from, the risk to get shot by anyone
[13:55] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): life has no value anymore then
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i have even heard stories about people getting their head blown of when they knock on the wrong door
[13:55] CB Axel: Yes. That has happened, but not that often.
[13:55] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ding dong!, BLAM!, door opens
[13:55] CB Axel: I just stay home and hang out in SL. °͜°
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hopefully not often
[13:56] herman Bergson: Bejiita...car accidents happen more often...
[13:56] herman Bergson: so keep it in proportion plz :-)
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well that is true
[13:56] CB Axel: But the media reports on those things, Bejiita, because it attracts viewers.
[13:56] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I guess thats how it is
[13:57] herman Bergson: Anyway...Guess we all can agree upon that th eUS has a problem here....
[13:57] CB Axel: Good news does not generate money for news outlets.
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i don't really know where to get real facts from anymore and i want real facts but it is as you say CB
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its just fake news to make money
[13:57] Ciska Riverstone: it might if it would be motivational cb ㋡
[13:57] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hopefully things will get better
[13:58] herman Bergson: ok...my final shot....
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least all of you are nice people and great friends
[13:58] herman Bergson: Class dismissed ....^_^
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:58] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): so cu all next time
[13:58] herman Bergson: Thank youall again...:-))
[13:58] CB Axel: Sometimes it's real news. People do get shot by mistake. But more people do not get shot. The danger gets inflated when people hear about those isolated incidents and don't think about all the times they themselves walked down the street without harm.
[13:59] CB Axel: Thank you, Herman.
[13:59] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): True CB
[13:59] herman Bergson: CB..it is like Trump about the FBI......
[13:59] CB Axel: I apologize for dominating the conversation. It's just that I feel strongly about gun issues and feel extremely frustrated.
[14:00] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): understand that cb
[14:00] herman Bergson: The mistake is made is due to their involvement in the Russia investigation...
[14:00] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): no need to apologize CB
[14:00] Ciska Riverstone: totally understandable cb
[14:00] herman Bergson: We feel the same CB.....are flabbergasted by what happens
[14:00] CB Axel: Trump is an idiot. I don't listen to anything he says.
[14:01] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): agrees on that
[14:01] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and if anything is fake news its everything he says
[14:01] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least most of it
[14:01] herman Bergson: I spent a lot of time on Youtube watching all kinds of videos...
[14:01] CB Axel: You feel flabbergasted, but I do not have freedom from the fear of being caught in the crossfire in a shoot-out at the grocery.
[14:01] herman Bergson: Stephen Colbert and others but also Sarah Sanders and KellyAnn....
[14:02] CB Axel: I watch Colbert and Trevor Noah on the Daily Show.
[14:02] herman Bergson: I really wonder....what is going on there at you rplace CB?
[14:02] herman Bergson: Don't people get crazy about a president who gets ridiculed every day?
[14:03] herman Bergson: day
[14:03] Ciska Riverstone: what we can al be sure of is that when trump is no longer president we will read the story of his wife as a book and she will make a lot of money form that how much of a victim she was... thats something I would bet a year of my income on
[14:04] herman Bergson: oh yes!
[14:04] CB Axel: There are too many people who think the people who ridicule Trump are the idiots. They believe everything he says and love everything he tweets.
[14:04] herman Bergson: She is already ready for it I would say...and already writing too..:-)
[14:04] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true, and its scary for sure
[14:04] CB Axel: I've been thinking the same thing, Ciska.
[14:04] CB Axel: I hope she does.
[14:05] Ciska Riverstone: the really bad thing is that we all kind of know
[14:05] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): when i first heard trumps screeching over a year before he got president i thought, DUH what an idiot, no worries, that one will be locked up in an asylum soon
[14:05] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but i was wrong
[14:05] CB Axel: I always have nice feelings for our First Ladies no matter who their husband is or what party he belongs to, but I fear for Melania.
[14:06] herman Bergson: Well BEjiita....
[14:06] herman Bergson: at least he succeeded in one thing....
[14:06] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): making an unexpected victory?
[14:06] herman Bergson: removing the US from the world theater of politics
[14:06] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess thats also true
[14:07] Ciska Riverstone: well he still has putin
[14:07] herman Bergson: We can not take this country to be serious or reliable anymore, I'd say
[14:07] Ciska Riverstone: ;)
[14:07] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least ww3 have not started yet
[14:07] CB Axel: Yes. I've never really been comfortable living in a "world power." I think I'd like to live somewhere small and quiet like Ireland. °͜°
[14:08] herman Bergson: Come to the Netherlands CB :-)
[14:08] herman Bergson: You are welcome :-)
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