From: Mark Steven Heyman (markheyman@infoproconsulting.com)
Date: Fri Aug 19 2005 - 18:52:33 BST
Hi All,
In another thread, Arlo provided us with his usual thorough analysis
of the Conservative versus Progressive false dichotomy.
I changed the name of this thread because Arlo's remarks are taking
us away from the question of whether or not conservative values
support DQ and the evolution of SQ.
Just a minor disagreement, below...
On 19 Aug 2005 at 9:54, Arlo J. Bensinger wrote:
For example, all the hunters and fishermen I know are also the most avid
environmentalists I know. They want clean forests and streams, land for game to
roam, and to stop the encroachment and pollution that threatens a wilderness
they love. When not hunting/fishing, they tend to want to be outdoors hiking,
boating, camping, etc. But since "hunting" has been dichotomized erroneuously,
by its association with "gun control", as "conservative", environmental
advocacy is splintered and weakened. "Liberals" portray hunters as Bambi
killers, "conservatives" portray non-hunting environmentalists as "tree hugging
wackos". They both want the same thing, but an absolutist dichotomy makes them
arch-enemies. Foolish. And who wins? Business that can develop wild lands, or
use them to dump their trash.
msh:
One element is missing here in speaking (very generally) about the
differences between progressive and conservative thought: the
awareness of the inter-connectness of life which leads to empathy and
compassion for all other living beings.
Again speaking generally, a Conservative is likely to balk at
supporting social systems that are of no immediate benefit to himself
or loved ones. You know, "Why should I help pay for that school? I
don't have any kids who go there."
Or, thinking of Arlo's hunters, if their reasons for supporting
ecological programs is to ensure that they and their friends have a
pristine environment for their personal enjoyment, then they are
still conservative. If, on the other hand, their support stems from
their belief that a better environment benefits all of us, they are
thinking progressively.
BTW, I've never heard an intelligent "Liberal" describe hunters as
"Bambi killers." Progressive objections are directed more toward the
idea that killing for entertainment is morally repugnant.
Best to all,
Mark Steven Heyman (msh)
--
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"Whenever I see a photograph of some sportsman grinning over his
kill, I am always impressed by the striking moral and esthetic
superiority of the dead animal to the live one."
--Edward Abbey, A Voice Crying in the Wilderness
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