Bobasan 8-30-2021

Difficult Times

We are still in a pandemic and the sad politicizing of science leaves families split apart. As we are part of the US Military and as a guest in our host country Germany we follow the CDC, WHO guidelines, rules and regulations.

At GSMA we encourage humility and compassion through examples  of strength and positive character.

As a student or instructor your religious - political beliefs are your own. Our school philosophy  is  that one’s beliefs should not be harmful to oneself or others and be of benefit to the greater good of society, so that we can be our best self and inspire others.

 

Bobasan 10-7-2021

 

While looking for the reasons for our great divide in opinions and beliefs I went back to a Harvard classroom lecture Justice: What's The Right Thing To Do? Episode 01. My goal is to have a greater understanding for opinions so tightly held that family's cannot calmly and  rationally discuss important issues.​

 

Emotions are strong for the topic of what is social responsibility of conforming for the greater good of society and what is the importance of individual autonomy and personal freedom. The answer may be a combination of the two.

 

No one answer is 100% correct and informed study in all views to form an educated and  temporary conclusion is exhausting but I think what may help us is to use logic, reason, and compassion to work together for a stronger family and society.

 

"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just,

then they will not care how devout you have been,

but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by.

If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them.

If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life

that will live on in the memories of your loved ones.”

Marcus Aurelius

 

It is simple to view the world as us against them (tribalism or in group-out group) police support vs police reform, civil protesters vs police supporters, pro Trump vs anti turmpsters, pro social responsibility vs individual rights. It can be as shallow as I chose this sports team or that sports team. Currently it seems the major problem is

"I identify with this because it is my team or in group and it directs my fear, frustration and blame outward to the out group".

I am more interested with why we believe something and where does the most compelling evidence led us.

It takes reading, research and deep thought to discuss the philosophy of a political, social, or economic ideology. It is then possible, with a basic knowledge of the topics, to have a sound opinion as a starting point. Either way emotional, violent rhetoric makes us less free and more easily manipulated to do or believe things that are not in our best interest. Let us step it down and in private discuss these things that affect us all. I am no expert, but I will seek them out. To blindly follow a group or a team is not an option."…Bobasan