That many governments are dishonest and in control over the masses is something I can agree on. However, why is that actually a bad thing, to be controlled by an evil government?
Not necessarily. Humans are stuck in certain basic beliefs they have about their existence, which are so deeply rooted that even questioning them makes most people very uncomfortable, such as you are now.
I don't necessarily believe that humans should be free just because they want it. Striving for freedom is not very different from the greed of striving for money and power.
Me? Yes, I definitely want to be free. But just because I want something doesn't mean I can or should have it. There is a very big difference between my personal opinions and goals I have, and what I rationally can realize.
I am able to think about those things further than what is comfortable. Before I answer though, I am curious to know what you'd say is the reason it would be a bad thing, if you elaborate using your own words.
People who say, "How can you possibly think that?" are many times so confident in their opinion they don't even know why. They think it's so obvious they start seeing it as a fundamental, unquestionable truth. Don't misunderstand me; based in common sense, I have full understanding for why, but now I want us to think a little deeper than that.
Regardless if we will agree or not, it's always healthy to think over arguments and put words on why one actually has a certain opinion about something.
I don't disagree! I'd imagine that people haven't thought through why they prefer things like civility over barbarism and liberty over tyranny because those kinds of opinions are largely unchallenged and most people agree on those matters so that there isn't much cause to think them through. Not only that, but the benefits of liberty and civilization are apparent daily.
Indeed. Opinions that are largely unchallenged by the general public have a tendency to become considered unquestionable. You can always ask "why" regardless of how confident you were that you knew the reason for something. You might find yourself surprised and realize something new that way. I often do.
If someone says a question is stupid and that the answer is obvious but then can't really elaborate anything more than to say, "Well it's obvious!" then is it really such a stupid question with an obvious answer?
Actually not. I had no clue he had said something similar to this. In truth, I really don't like reading much, nor did I ever in the past. Long texts are honestly quite boring, and often too slow for my taste. I prefer writing though. Who would have guessed?
Anyway, if now Socrates and I happen to think alike, I guess that's something I could take as a compliment.
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