Clyde G. is a respected thinker and Neo-Buddhist who has been acknowledged for his ability to ask questions going to the heart of issues regarding metaphysical models of reality.
Dan;
If all the assertions above are true AND IF, as you have suggested, “one is responsible for the actions one does not take”, …
Djs: Correct
Cg: …then one is responsible for an infinite number of non-actions; each non-action has a unique set of eternal consequences;…
Djs: Correct
Cg: …some sets of consequences will be more desirable (however defined)…
Djs: This is an interesting concept but for now we’ll leave it alone.
Cg: …and others sets of consequences will be less desirable;…
Djs: OK
Cg: …that set of consequences for any particular action is beyond our ability to completely know or even imagine;…
Djs: In our present physical state, yes.
Cg: …so, we will not know with certainty if the set of consequences for any particular action is best, or more or less desirable.
Djs: In our present physical state, yes.
Cg: How would your suggestion that “one is responsible for the actions one does not take”, given the above conclusion, effect your decision making? To me (you may feel differently) it seems that such a consideration might cause me permanent indecision or, more likely, to ignore that suggestion and choose.
Djs: I would disagree with this point. We make decisions every day, every hour, every minute, every second regarding what actions we will or will not take. This scenario does not cause us to enter into a state of ‘permanent indecision’ although it does cause us to pause from time to time.
Cg: And please note, I have already stated that one must consider some of the potential actions and their consequences in order to minimize suffering as best one is able in the moment. This means that one applies the understanding and empathy one currently has to determine the best action, knowing that one cannot know ALL the potential actions and ALL their consequences,…
Djs: I am not suggesting we are capable of knowing ALL potential actions, rather I am speaking of potential actions of which we are aware.
Example 1: A woman being raped – one hears the commotion outside their window – they choose not to call the police because they do not want to get involved
Example 2: Three other people are in a conversation – a person says “Those stupid Muslims – their women deserve to get stoned to death’ – the other two say nothing.
Example 3: 25 million women are subjugated and subjected to laws of religion which condemns them to second class citizens – one supports actions which keep them subservient.
Cg: …and that one’s understanding and empathy is in constant development.
Djs: Agreed
Do no harm,
clyde