Chapter 623: The golden mean, go to the East to learn from it!
Under Christopher's puzzled gaze, Li Jinglin smiled and spoke.
"In fact, self and others, selflessness and selfishness, do not necessarily have to be viewed in opposition."
"What you are thinking about is the contrast between a selfless world and a selfish world. Personal selfishness will benefit oneself in the short term, harm others, and also harm long-term interests. Personal selflessness, altruism, and the world will benefit oneself in the short term, and even Long-term interests will be damaged.”
"But I want to say that your idea is still a zero-sum game, which is a bit absolute."
Li Jinglin smiled and shook his head.
Not impatient either.
After all, that was the environment in which Professor Christopher grew up.
At this time, it is really valuable to have more and different thoughts and perspectives, even for senior scholars.
“From the perspective of a positive-sum game, it’s not that I will be harmed if I am selfless and altruistic, but that it is convenient for myself to be convenient for others.”
Speaking of it.
But now, looking at the problem from a different perspective, I find that it is completely different.
"The East starts from the study of things to gain knowledge, from the perspective of collective society and mutual help, that is, reciprocity, no one can enjoy gifts and help with peace of mind, mutual help, the key is the word "mutual".
It's not that it has no soul, but it has a noble soul. It's never mechanical and monotonous, but it's truly evocative.
Li Jinglin spread his hands.
"only."
Li Jinglin smiled.
"In other words, starting from the perspective of the self, what will eventually be created is a world where everyone is selfish. Such a world will become indifferent and ruthless. Considering both biological and social perspectives, such a world will eventually lead to self-destruction. "
"The other kind, what they ultimately want to create is a world where everyone helps each other, receives warmth from others, and can do his best to give warmth to others. Such a collective society, from a biological perspective, The vitality will be very tenacious!”
In the past, I always felt that the dedication of the East was admirable, but it seemed to have no soul, just like a colony of ants, mechanical and monotonous.
"No matter how selfish a society is, there will always be selfless people. No matter how selfless a society is, there will always be selfish people. This extreme form is unattainable because human nature is inherently good and also because human nature is inherently evil."
Christopher realized.
"However, even if you look at the problem from a selfish perspective, you can ask, would you rather live in a selfish society with more selfish people, or in a society with more selfless people?"
"The West has aggravated the original theory of guilt and restricted it with theology. Morality has not effectively clarified the essence of the problem. Instead, it has become a fig leaf. This has increasingly led to the birth of refined egoism."
Compared with the so-called free society, such a society is more humane.
"The ultimate worlds shaped by each other are different."
Christopher pondered for a moment.
"For this problem, two philosophical models have actually already provided solutions to make up for bugs."
"Actually, as the saying goes, there are no absolutes in everything."
Nod.
Speak slowly.
"The answer is obvious."
"Looking at it from a sociological perspective, selflessness and selfishness are actually different values. What kind of people are there, what kind of ideas are dominant, and what kind of society you are willing to build, these are the so-called core values. ”
Christopher nodded.
However, let’s ask the question in reverse.
"Li, so, you want to build a selfless society?" "No, not really."
Li Jinglin's answer was beyond Christopher's expectations.
Originally, Christopher thought that Li Jinglin would definitely nod.
But he never expected that Li Jinglin would give a completely different answer.
"We do not engage in confrontation, but recognize diversity. That is, selfish people have selfish ways and freedoms, as long as they do not harm the interests of others, and selfless people need selfless help and recognition."
"This is what China calls the two sets of logics of the happiness of small people and the rise of great powers that complement each other and blend with each other."
"No one prevents people from pursuing the happiness of the common people, let alone criticizes people's selfishness. After all, isn't this a kind of selfishness? We have a saying that if you are poor, take care of yourself and take care of yourself, that is the happiness of the common people. , Don’t judge others, and don’t judge others.”
Li Jinglin shrugged.
He spoke with emotion.
"Guess why the gang of dog food collectors from Yingjiang shouted something like [I don't want the rise of a great country, I only care about the happiness of small people] [What does this have to do with my monthly salary of three thousand] and so on? , but it’s of no use at all?”
Christopher was stunned.
Many conclusions flashed through my mind.
For example, collective and individual, selfish and selfless.
Soon, Li Jinglin spoke.
"Because the very act of them speaking out is divorced from the happiness of the common people. Speaking out with righteousness and stern words, which is deafening and enlightening, isn't this behavior a kind of public service? Then since it is for the public, how can we talk about the happiness of the common people? Isn't this what it should be used for? Is it the value orientation and logical chain of dedication to the public? ”
"If you have dissatisfaction or grievances, just talk about it. Some people will help you. But if you are doing well and feel it has nothing to do with you, what are you going to comment on? You have to be sarcastic and comment, but don't talk about your own affairs. Son, it seems that I am standing on the moral high ground and speaking out on behalf of the group, but it goes against my own logic of [small people’s happiness]?”
"It contradicts itself, who can believe it?"
Good guy.
Christopher glared.
Suddenly, I felt the confusion in my mind clear up.
I finally understand why Western society shows such double standards and divisions.
They say one thing and do another, but they still have wishful thinking. They are very proud and always think that they represent XXX.
Isn't he essentially the kind of person Li Jinglin said?
If words and deeds don't match up, wouldn't it be weird if there were no problems?
If your words and deeds are inconsistent, then who can listen to you?
"So. We believe that a good and achievable society is one that is selective, not bottom-line inclusive. It must have order and freedom under the rules of order, that is, you can choose what you want. What kind of person do you want to be, but the premise is that you cannot harm the interests of others.”
Li Jinglin chuckled.
"This is our Chinese idea of righteousness and the golden mean. Just like Tai Chi contains both yin and yang, we Chinese people all know that if yin cannot grow alone, yang cannot grow."
Christopher suddenly laughed.
The exchange with Li Jinglin made Christopher feel the wonder of Eastern philosophy even more.
At this time, Christopher had already made up his mind.
It’s not just this documentary.
I also want to bring back more things from Chinese culture.
Go to the East to learn scriptures!
(End of this chapter)
