Re: *sniff* [CC'ed to the Noct Cabal] -- The Noct Cabal

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Date Posted: 10:33:43 04/24/02 Wed
Author: Jess
Subject: Re: *sniff* [CC'ed to the Noct Cabal]
In reply to: eduna 's message, "Re: *sniff* [CC'ed to the Noct Cabal]" on 10:22:53 04/24/02 Wed

>nearly all behaviors in biological organisms exist to
>propagate and safeguard the organism. "honorable"
>behavior often dictates actions that are contrary to
>this aim.

... Yeah. That's true.

Well, there are a bunch of different ways to look at it. Richard Dawkins (I think that's the right guy) argues that honorable behavior/altruism might be bad for you, the individual performing it, but good in the long-term for your genetic group. I'm going to let Chris explain this one more, since he's the biologist, but the gist is that yes, it sometimes does make sense to sacrifice yourself in whatever way in the short-term.

The reason I choose to behave honorably, even if it's a risk to myself, is because it would go against my self-definition not to do so. I mean ... I guess I did something recently that was a little dumb, but if I hadn't done it, then I wouldn't have been the person I think I am anymore. Does that make sense? I'd rather risk myself physically than change myself to the point where I'm not myself anymore.

Personally, I think that there are a lot of different reasons to behave with honor - the question really is what's going to motivate you to do it. :)

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Replies:

Re: *sniff* [CC'ed to the Noct Cabal] -- eduna, 10:46:20 04/24/02 Wed
- Re: *sniff* [CC'ed to the Noct Cabal] -- Jess, 11:08:42 04/24/02 Wed