Date: Mon, 7 Jul 2003 23:55:20 +0100 From: Jan Straathof <janstr-AT-chan.nl> Subject: Re: having said all that... Hi Michael, In your post you make two important observations, namely, the "self-interestedness of human beings" and the "abysmal dimension of social relations" and i think you're right that these are irrefutable socio-ontological phenomena. But what is "self-interestedness"; what is it, that is of "interest" of and for the self; and what is the "self" ? Imho "self-interestedness" is not a socio-ontologically fixed concept, i see "self-interestedness" more as an idea(l)-in-process, i.e. as ever changing and developing awareness of Dasein's casting: a way of life to discover and fulfill one's true self. As such, and on good (moral) grounds [cf. Spinoza's Conatus], it has very different meanings for e.g. a mother, a student, a pilot, a stock broker, a green activist, a philosopher etc. Here many "self-interested" acts also imply or enhance forms of trust, solidarity, team-spirit, self-sacrifice, empatheia etc. Anyway, for me, the "self" and its "interests" are not something anti-rational or anti-social, on the contrary; with Bhaskar i believe in: "..... the realization of concretely singularized human wellbeing and flourishing in a society in which the free development of each is a condition for the free development of all;" [Plato Etc. p 114]. Of course, the "abysmal dimension of social relations" is a very risky and uncertain place, and i agree with you that it's maybe less the scientist but more the poet who can offer first and essential insights here. You recalled Sophocles': _polla ta deina k'ouden anthropou deinoteron pelei_ "Many things are uncanny, and nothing stirs that is more uncanny than humankind.", which made me remember Hoelderlin's: _Wo aber Gefahr ist, waechst Das Rettende auch._ "Wherever danger is, always already rescue grows near." And now i'm off to the mediterranean sun, see you all back in september. schiavo, Jan --- from list heidegger-AT-lists.village.virginia.edu ---
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