----- Original Message -----
From: Sonja van Baardwijk-Holten <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, May 23, 2001 10:48 AM
Subject: Re: American Attitudes (was Re: Hard working?)
> "John D. Giorgis" schreef:
>
> > At 11:31 AM 5/23/01 +0300 Charlie Bell wrote:
> > >John wote:
> > >> America has always been at the forefront of technological
> > >> innovation, and a
> > >> great many of the important inventions of the past 200 years were
made
> > >> here.
> > >
> > >Like the steam engine, antibiotics, the car, radio, television, the
internal
> > >combustion engine, the machine gun, the jet engine, the pneumatic tyre,
the
> > >bicycle, the mechanical loom, steel and the train?
> > >
> > >Thanks John. That entire post neatly illustrated exactly what Kat was
> > >talking about.
> >
> > And thank you for proving my point.
> >
> > Kat's proposition makes it a given that:
> > -Some people will be arrogant.
> > -There are reasons for being arrogant.
> >
> > I am therfore arguing that arrogance might reasonably stem from pride in
> > one's accomplishments. Thus, I am pointing out that Americans have a
> > great many accomplishments that one might reasonably take pride in.
>
> Are you claiming total ignorance in not knowing the difference between
arrogance
> and pride? :o)
>
> Sonja
>
I think the problem here is John's language use. He can correct me. Even
if someone is head and sholders above everyone else, say Tiger Woods in
golf, arrogance is not morally justified. However, he would have a reason
to be arrogant...just not justification.
I, on the other hand, would have absolutely no reason to be arrogant about
my golf game. :-) It isn't a moral question, its a question of a very high
handicap.
The US is the remaining global superpower. That is a reason for, but not
justification for arrogance on the part of US citizens. If John states that
the American citizens are justified in their arrogance, I will write a
strongly worded rebuttal. But, if he claries to say that there would be a
reason for unjustified arrogance, then I would agree.
I think the real problem in communication forcuses on the word "reason".
There is a reason to rob banks, as the quote from the '30s bank robber when
asked why he robs banks
"because that's where the money is."
but there is no justification.
Dan M.
