tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6952541300358816516.post159225233148224386..comments2023-06-05T05:40:42.711-07:00Comments on Precipitate: The Logic of Spiritual LifeKunalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13452252297480755308noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6952541300358816516.post-70952676375389700192011-03-16T00:07:54.895-07:002011-03-16T00:07:54.895-07:00Yes to the first question, no to the second. "...Yes to the first question, no to the second. "Ideal" doesn't mean pretending the world works ideally; ideal means having a goal, or ideal, to look up to. The higher the ideal (meaning, I think, the more selfless the ideal is), the more noble that person's life.Kunalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13452252297480755308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6952541300358816516.post-55766090668019418732011-03-15T19:25:32.773-07:002011-03-15T19:25:32.773-07:00I had a couple comments, but they were trumped by ...I had a couple comments, but they were trumped by questions about this passage:<br /><br />"As a technique of self-improvement, religion and philosophy provide certain exercises by which each individual's view of life becomes more ideal. When his view becomes thus elevated, his behaviour in the world also becomes correspondingly nobler."<br /><br />Perhaps you can answer what it means to have one's view of life become more "ideal". Does the author mean that there is a way to view life so that it appears more beautiful and wholesome? Is the way to do this to believe that other people are always acting in good faith? While this may make one feel better, it seems like a dangerously idealistic view. Such a view doesn't allow one to see instances where people are insincere as easily, opening oneself to being cheated and fooled, or simply oblivious. Isn't it better to see the world for what it truly is, and then work forward with a clear view?Katie Cunninghamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06910292704568355455noreply@blogger.com