Comments on: albert schweitzer: reverence for life

By: Chris | Martial Development

Chris | Martial Development — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 20:06:01 +0000

It seems to me that we are all evangelists of a sort, be it willing or accidental, and if only by providing a "social proof" for others who would share our personal values and preferences. Even nihilists are evangelists for nihilism. Good on him for having enough wisdom, courage and honesty to acknowledge this--even if he possessed certain other shortcomings. Chris | Martial Development's last blog post..The Rise and Fall of Mesmerism

By: A. Decker

A. Decker — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:06:35 +0000

Isabella, I’m honored by the way you mentioned my post at the outset. In spite of my disagreement with his “evangelistic” attitude, it seems he fostered a pretty life affirming outlook. As for the question of where to draw the line on higher or lower life forms, that strikes me as totally uncertain. You know, arbitrary. I think AS had the right idea, which seems to have been: preserve any life form you can, any time you can. Strikes me as right on so many levels.

A. Decker’s last blog post..Peace…

By: isabella mori

isabella mori — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:22:54 +0000

the way i understand it, schweitzer’s thought was to avoid killing and harming where possible (maybe a sort of harm reduction). as a guide for living, in many cases, that’s pretty straightforward.

schweitzer was not a professional philosopher, so i’m not sure how important rigour was for him.

how important is it for you?

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:16:00 +0000

Yes, but where is the criterion of distinction within his philosophy? His own feelings and values? Fair enough – it’s no doubt what most of us use most of the time. But then others have different feelings and values (eg not caring much for flowers by the wayside).

My argument is with the rigour of his philosophy.

Evan’s last blog post..Satisfaction from Knowing Ourselves and Better Relationships

By: isabella mori

isabella mori — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 02:08:01 +0000

i don’t know, evan, i don’t think this is how schweitzer thinks. he is in full agreement with the farmer mowing down the grass, and as a doctor, was in full agreement with killing germs.

what you portray here seems more akin to some of the more extreme jain philosophies.

By: Evan

Evan — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 01:57:10 +0000

The big philosophical problem I have with Schweitzer’s reverence for life is that life lives of life – eg Kali who eats her children.

Can we really not distinguish between killing a cold germ and a human being?

I think we could at least distinguish the higher as those possessing a central nervous system and lower as being those that don’t.

Under necessity the choice is made. So then in what way is it made?

Evan’s last blog post..Satisfaction from Knowing Ourselves and Better Relationships