What is a decent human-being?

chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
edited July 2007 in A Moving Train
Please feel free to describe what a decent human-being
is all about.
for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

"Hear me, my chiefs!
I am tired; my heart is
sick and sad. From where
the sun stands I will fight
no more forever."

Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
Post edited by Unknown User on
«13

Comments

  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    chadwick wrote:
    Please feel free to describe what a decent human-being
    is all about.

    i remember decent human beings. they had dedication to their families AND to their community. they not only watched out for their children but for all the children. if someone had an unexpected death or fire the entire community would come together and help them.
    i guess a decent human being is someone that helps other human beings.
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    Ten fingers, ten toes.

    A nice ass or sexy sway to her hips.

    Works hard, makes lots of money and donates more than 1% of net worth to charity.

    Puts out like a rabbit in heat.

    I guess it depends on my mood.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    One who lives and let lives without placing obligations on others.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    surferdude wrote:
    Ten fingers, ten toes.

    A nice ass or sexy sway to her hips.

    Works hard, makes lots of money and donates more than 1% of net worth to charity.

    Puts out like a rabbit in heat.

    I guess it depends on my mood.

    So a decent human-being cant be missing any fingers or toes?
    Someone with (as you say nice ass/sexy sway to her hips) not
    the best body is not a decent human-being?
    And has to have sex @ the drop of a hat to be a decent human-being?
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    chadwick wrote:
    So a decent human-being cant be missing any fingers or toes?
    Someone with (as you say nice ass/sexy sway to her hips) not
    the best body is not a decent human-being?
    And has to have sex @ the drop of a hat to be a decent human-being?
    Usually they have to be at least one of these. All depending on my mood I guess.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    chadwick wrote:
    Please feel free to describe what a decent human-being
    is all about.

    Go look in the mirror chaddles. :)
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    i remember decent human beings. they had dedication to their families AND to their community. they not only watched out for their children but for all the children. if someone had an unexpected death or fire the entire community would come together and help them.
    i guess a decent human being is someone that helps other human beings.

    And you should go look in the mirror too ols. :)

    Bound to find a very fine and decent human being looking right back at you! :)
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • OutOfBreathOutOfBreath Posts: 1,804
    i guess a decent human being is someone that helps other human beings.
    I'll second that. That's the essence of it. All else is window-dressing.

    Peace
    Dan
    "YOU [humans] NEED TO BELIEVE IN THINGS THAT AREN'T TRUE. HOW ELSE CAN THEY BECOME?" - Death

    "Every judgment teeters on the brink of error. To claim absolute knowledge is to become monstrous. Knowledge is an unending adventure at the edge of uncertainty." - Frank Herbert, Dune, 1965
  • According to the movie Full Metal Jacket it's someone that gives you the courtesy of a reach around.
    Progress is not made by everyone joining some new fad,
    and reveling in it's loyalty. It's made by forming coalitions
    over specific principles, goals, and policies.

    http://i36.tinypic.com/66j31x.jpg

    (\__/)
    ( o.O)
    (")_(")
  • mdigenakismdigenakis Posts: 1,337
    someone who can balance selfishness with selflessness.
    "Don't let the darkness eat you up..."

    -Greg Dulli

  • chadwickchadwick up my ass Posts: 21,157
    Originally Posted by sweetpotato
    long-winded, but good:

    We pray for children who put chocolate fingers everywhere,
    who like to be tickled,
    who stomp in mud puddles and ruin their new pants,
    who sneak popsicles before supper,
    who erase holes in math workbooks,
    who can never find their shoes.

    And we pray for those who stare at photographers behind barbed wire,
    who can't pound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,
    who are born in places we wouldn't be caught dead,
    who never go to the circus,
    who live in an x-rated world.

    We pray for children who bring us sticky kisses and handfuls of dandelions,
    who sleep with the dog and bury goldfish,
    who hug us in a hurry and forget their lunch money,
    who cover themselves with bandaids and sing off-key,
    who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink and slurp their soup.

    And we pray for those who never get dessert,
    who have no safe blanket to drag behind them,
    who watch their parents watch them die,
    who can't find any bread to steal,
    who don't have any rooms to clean up,
    whose pictures aren't on anybody's dressers,
    whose monsters are real.

    We pray for children who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,
    who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,
    who like ghost stories,
    who shove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub,
    who get visits from the tooth fairy,
    who don't like to be kissed in front of the carpool,
    who squirm in church or temple and scream in the phone,
    whose tears we sometimes laugh at,
    and whose smiles can make us cry.

    And we pray for those whose nightmares come in the day,
    who will eat anything,
    who have never seen a dentist,
    who aren't spoiled by anybody,
    who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,
    who live and move,
    but have no being.

    We pray for children who want to be carried
    and for those who must,
    for those we give up on
    and for those who don't get a second chance.
    For those we smother with kindness
    and for those who will grab the hand of anyone
    kind enough to offer it.
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    a pig in a cage on antibiotics

    a cat tied to a stick that's driven into frozen winter shit
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    A decent human being would be anyone who cares about more than just themselves.
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    Jeanwah wrote:
    A decent human being would be anyone who cares about more than just themselves.
    No. It has to be more than this. Even the vilest person has some cares outside of themselves. I would say a decent person is someone who's actions demonstrate they put others ahead of themselves on a continual and growing basis.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • JeanwahJeanwah Posts: 6,363
    surferdude wrote:
    I would say a decent person is someone who's actions demonstrate they put others ahead of themselves on a continual and growing basis.
    That's the definition of a selfless person. A decent person can still be a little selfish as long as it's within reason, and shows care for others around them. You've got to admit that there are FEW selfless people out there. We all have a bit of selfishness in us, whether we want to admit it or not. It's the demonstration that we don't hoard things for ourselves that displays decency.
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    In order for there to be a measurement-which is entirely a human construct-there must be reference points. There must be the high end of decency and the low end of indecency in order for a scale to exist at all. Given that the scale is subjective, it's highly probable that the individuals scale of decency uses introspection of themselves as a reference point for the high-end of decency. In this regard, everyone is equally decent.

    That's not to mention that such a scale would also require some kind of acausal will.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    The Animals album from Pink Floyd really sums this up, IMO. Yeah, it's just rock n roll, but if you listen closely, you'll find that much of the lyrics are insightful representations of the inner workings of the sociopathic mindset.

    And the funny thing about sociopaths is that they are commonly known to exhibit exquisite social skills. They have a unique tendency to turn on the charm and win the trust and adoration of the people around them.

    In other words, they are unnatural people. They've pieced together a personality of their choice. Of course, people aren't born that way.

    And, as Pink Floyd put it in Animals, they've sort developed that talent through years of not being able to trust people. They harbor an inner belief that if they don't victimize others, they themselves will be victimized. They've never known an environment where they can be themselves and not have to fear retribution in some form or another.

    I've never really been able to fully articulate my opinion on this subject. But, generally speaking, I think the key to being a decent human being is to periodically stop and ask myself, "Is this how I really feel?"

    I think we as people in a society get caught up in social graces, prescribed points of view, and numerous other self-diluting habits to the point where we become almost sociopathic in a way. That is, for us to feel comfortable in our own skin, we feel that we have to play a role that will help us blend in with the least amount of friction.

    And I think that there is no such thing as sincere malice. But, we spend so much time purposely being "nice" that we over time develop the subconscious belief that we must be malicious, hideous, and hurtful people if we are so motivated to prove otherwise.

    What took me a really long time to figure out was that empathy was not a one way street. That is, there is no such thing as caring for another living thing without regard for ourselves. By that I mean that there is no such thing as selflessness.

    First, people have to feel empathy for themselves. And in order to truly to have that, they have to know how they really feel about things -hence the "Is this how I really feel" bit.

    And in order to feel empathy for one self, a person has to be completely honest with him/her self. Otherwise, that person is just a robot who displays whatever emotions and thoughts that were programmed into it.

    Of course, what I'm referring to is the self-actualization component of maslow's hierarchy of needs. And, if you believe in maslow's hierarchy of needs, then you know that it is only after self-actualization occurs that a person can feel truly empathetic toward another living thing. That is when empathy is a gut reaction rather than a learned response.
  • FinsburyParkCarrotsFinsburyParkCarrots Seattle, WA Posts: 12,223
    An elephant with six legs.
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    Ahnimus wrote:
    In order for there to be a measurement-which is entirely a human construct-there must be reference points. There must be the high end of decency and the low end of indecency in order for a scale to exist at all. Given that the scale is subjective, it's highly probable that the individuals scale of decency uses introspection of themselves as a reference point for the high-end of decency. In this regard, everyone is equally decent.

    That's not to mention that such a scale would also require some kind of acausal will.

    you could have just said, "I don't know".
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • Alex_CoeAlex_Coe Posts: 762
    Well as for the "helps the community" aspect, I think there's at least one loophole... no one is obligated to fight for a cause they don't believe in. I guess there's two criteria for a "decent person" that I can nail down:

    1) He/She considers the consequences of his actions, and as a result of that he/she will sometimes help others when they really need it.

    2) A decent (or at least adequate) person can think for himself... and report when something is wrong. Suffice it to say this is not the same as #1. To watch someone cheat, lie, steal, etc. and do nothing is just as bad as commiting the crime yourself. (Maybe it's different in the case of "It's none of my business". I'm not talking about a man teasing his girlfriend at a cafe. I'm talking about murder, etc.)

    It's one thing to hurt another person for your own gain... to do the wrong thing for the right reason is sometimes justifiable. Watch John Q for a sketchy example of this. But it's a different beast to allow another person to hurt, because you have nothing to gain by doing that.
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    For my purposes, a decent human-being, is one that acknowledges truth and accepts total determinism. However, in a strictly closed system, such as reality, everyone is as they are.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • PearlerPearler Posts: 191
    sponger wrote:
    The Animals album from Pink Floyd really sums this up, IMO. Yeah, it's just rock n roll, but if you listen closely, you'll find that much of the lyrics are insightful representations of the inner workings of the sociopathic mindset.

    And the funny thing about sociopaths is that they are commonly known to exhibit exquisite social skills. They have a unique tendency to turn on the charm and win the trust and adoration of the people around them.

    In other words, they are unnatural people. They've pieced together a personality of their choice. Of course, people aren't born that way.

    And, as Pink Floyd put it in Animals, they've sort developed that talent through years of not being able to trust people. They harbor an inner belief that if they don't victimize others, they themselves will be victimized. They've never known an environment where they can be themselves and not have to fear retribution in some form or another.

    I've never really been able to fully articulate my opinion on this subject. But, generally speaking, I think the key to being a decent human being is to periodically stop and ask myself, "Is this how I really feel?"

    I think we as people in a society get caught up in social graces, prescribed points of view, and numerous other self-diluting habits to the point where we become almost sociopathic in a way. That is, for us to feel comfortable in our own skin, we feel that we have to play a role that will help us blend in with the least amount of friction.

    And I think that there is no such thing as sincere malice. But, we spend so much time purposely being "nice" that we over time develop the subconscious belief that we must be malicious, hideous, and hurtful people if we are so motivated to prove otherwise.

    What took me a really long time to figure out was that empathy was not a one way street. That is, there is no such thing as caring for another living thing without regard for ourselves. By that I mean that there is no such thing as selflessness.

    First, people have to feel empathy for themselves. And in order to truly to have that, they have to know how they really feel about things -hence the "Is this how I really feel" bit.

    And in order to feel empathy for one self, a person has to be completely honest with him/her self. Otherwise, that person is just a robot who displays whatever emotions and thoughts that were programmed into it.

    Of course, what I'm referring to is the self-actualization component of maslow's hierarchy of needs. And, if you believe in maslow's hierarchy of needs, then you know that it is only after self-actualization occurs that a person can feel truly empathetic toward another living thing. That is when empathy is a gut reaction rather than a learned response.

    this is good though I prefer realisation and activation of the self rather than actualisation.

    and decency is a perception depending on culture or creed.
    what you consider decent, akmal from down town saudi rabia might see as abhorent.
  • Alex_CoeAlex_Coe Posts: 762
    Pearler wrote:
    and decency is a perception depending on culture or creed.
    what you consider decent, akmal from down town saudi rabia might see as abhorent.


    Sometimes I think the world would be better off without Akmal. I'm not suggesting we kill him, but... there's plenty of places for Akmal to live on the surface of the moon.
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    Ahnimus wrote:
    For my purposes, a decent human-being, is one that acknowledges truth and accepts total determinism.
    That's one way of looking at the world. Seems pretty narcicistic to me, but hey, if it works for you ....
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • One who respects themselves, thier environment, and has equal respect for others without judgement.



    but thats just my opinion.
    I'd rather be with an animal.
  • deadnotedeadnote Posts: 1,678
    should hold on to the moments they cherish for once they are gone you might be dealing with the opposite
    set your laughter free

    dreamer in my dream

    we got the guns

    i love you,but im..............callin out.........callin out
  • gue_bariumgue_barium Posts: 5,515
    "decent" as in a big hairy man who has all his clothes on

    or

    "decent" as in she looks "decent" with all her clothes off?

    har har...

    there aint no decency in washington, DeCeeeee-cency

    all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
    except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
  • Bu2Bu2 Posts: 1,693
    Chadwick is a decent human being.
    Feels Good Inc.
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    Pearler wrote:
    this is good though I prefer realisation and activation of the self rather than actualisation.

    Realization and activation are components of actualization.
    and decency is a perception depending on culture or creed.
    what you consider decent, akmal from down town saudi rabia might see as abhorent.

    and your point is?
  • spongersponger Posts: 3,159
    surferdude wrote:
    That's one way of looking at the world. Seems pretty narcicistic to me, but hey, if it works for you ....

    In that case, I'm not sure if you know what narcissism is.
Sign In or Register to comment.