Quote from: uneng on November 05, 2024, 12:34:44 PM

Quote from: Darker45 on November 05, 2024, 03:04:16 AM

Quote from: uneng on November 04, 2024, 04:48:33 PM

~snip~

I'm not discounting the power of an individual to defy the odds and achieve great success. But it would be unfair to blame them for failing. The hindrances and obstacles toward success are insurmountable, and these are usually systematic and structural. Rather than putting all the blame to the individual, it's the leaders, the state, institutions, the socio-economic structure, and so on should that should be held accountable.

In the first place, are the individuals actually given a choice? Or is the democratic process merely giving them evil and lesser evil as options?

I refuse to follow this logic, because if I did, I would have to accept the fact I don't have any autenticity or free will at all, since it's all about a gray undefined body called system which decides everything for me.

This system is composed by people like us, who somehow managed to accumulate power, using their skills and cognitive abilities to manipulate and take advantage from average citizens of society.

They are constantly trying to make us to believe we have no choices, besides playing their game. The fact you are persuaded to always choose the lesser evil is an evidence of that. However, you don't have to. You always have the possibility and potential to find gaps on this system imposed to you in order to thrive and develop yourself, despite obstacles and sabotages.

The difficult level involved in not playing the system's game may be high, but it's not impossible, and I guess the purpose of life is to not give up to them. Key point I've found is to be less dependant as possible on mainstream groups, while becoming more autonomous and self-reliable on yourself.

I'm speaking of facts on the ground. A little boy is very excited to go to school but the school is one-day kilometer away (that's how they measure distance somewhere in the mountains-- that means you need an entire day of walking to reach your destination), the trail is almost impassable especially when it rains, the parents are dirt poor, and so on. Now, I'm not saying that the boy won't become a professional someday, but the odds are totally against him. It won't surprise me, and I won't blame them, if only 1 among 10 of them will eventually finish elementary.

In my city, the battle of who will lead it is fought between two members of political and corrupt dynasties. You tell me if I indeed have a choice.

Free will, freedom, authenticity, choice, and so on are beautiful words. Words. If you're under a different set of circumstances, you can speak of them as if they're real. To some, they aren't.

And there are such concepts as natural lottery and social lottery. The government, institutions, system, structures should fill the gap, provide more to those who aren't so lucky in these lotteries. They fail! Terribly!