Kant's Categorical Imperative is the only (I think) answer: http://
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categorical_imperative
He defined an imperative as any proposition that declares a certain
action (or inaction) to be necessary. A hypothetical imperative would
compel action in a given circumstance: If I wish to satisfy my
thirst, then I must drink something. A categorical imperative would
denote an absolute, unconditional requirement that exerts its
authority in all circumstances, both required and justified as an end
in itself. It is best known in its first formulation: "Act only
according to that maxim whereby you can at the same time will that it
should become a universal law." [1]
db
On Aug 13, 2007, at 3:53 PM, Nicholas Thompson wrote:
All,
The best argument for worrying about global warming presented so
far in
this interesting correspondence is the one that says it costs us
relatively
little to worry about it and and costs us LOT if we dont.
Sort of like Pascal's argument for prayer, right?
I do worry about complexity thinking leading to fatalism. If a
goddamned
butterfly can cause a climate crash, why take responsibility for
ANYTHING
we do. We should all be dionysians.
dba | David Breecker Associates, Inc.
Santa Fe: 505-690-2335
Abiquiu: 505-685-4891
www.BreeckerAssociates.com
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