The
existing design of life corresponds neither to the requirements of conscience
nor to the requirements of intellect.
Imagine
a flock of pigeons in a wheat field. Imagine that ninety-nine of them, instead
of pecking the corn they need and using it as they need it, start to collect all
they can into one big heap. Imagine that they do not leave much corn for themselves,
but save this big heap of corn on behalf of the vilest and worst in their flock.
Imagine that they all sit in a circle and watch this one pigeon, who squanders
and wastes this wealth. And then imagine that they rush at a weak pigeon who is
the most hungry among them who darest to
take one grain from the heap without permission, and they punish him. If
you can
imagine this, then
you can understand the day-to-day behavior of
mankind.
— William
Paley
I see
people arguing with each other, preparing different traps for each
other, lying and betraying each other. I cannot see without tears that
the foundations of Good and Evil are forgotten, or in some cases
completely unknown.
— Theognis
People are rational creatures. Why do they seem capable
of using violence so much more easily than reason in their interactions with
each other?
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.