Why should I care?

Joao Pedro · Post by **Joao Pedro** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:31 pm

Why should I care?

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:39 pm

Who cares?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:47 pm

About what exactly Joao?
d'you mean anything?
I bet you do care ..about many things...loved ones..pets....life itself...the most precious thing we have?
I made a new years resolution....that I would value each moment each day..appreciate more thing..count my blessings etc etc..but have I stuck to it? NO.....I still moan about the stupidest things..petty things.
But recently.I was told by a good friend that they had a life-threatening illness with no cure.....that really took a hold of me,,and I gave myself a good lecture.
You should care..about many things..I bet someone cares about you.I hope and Im sure they do

.......Ellie

maddi · Post by **maddi** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 4:50 pm

Ok now I am going to driven mad with curiosity for ages - damn

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 5:03 pm

I hope Joao comes back to tell us Mads!
Im sure he will..if he cares

Joao Pedro · Post by **Joao Pedro** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:42 pm

Papa says millions of years of evolution have given me this information processing device designed singularly to increase my ability to reproduce. It forces me to care about where food and safety are, where warmth and comfort are, and where the opposite sex are. Existential ennui is a consequence of having all my base desires sated, yet my immature dreams of being a rock-star thwarted. He said I should care because there's a lot of needless suffering in the world, and because I'm rich enough to waste time on the internet then I'm are capable of changing things for the better. But I don't know.

guest2 · Post by **guest2** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:50 pm

·

Before asking why you *should* care, perhaps it would be worth thinking about the fact that you *do* care. Human beings are emotional and moral beings - we simply aren't capable of observing other people's behaviour without reacting emotionally and morally (though not always rightly!) to it. Because we are good at thinking, we can learn to override our initial emotional reactions and behave as detached, scientific observers in certain circumstances. But this requires an effort, even if we don't recognise it as such. We care about other people because we can't help it. When we cease to care altogether, we cease to function as humans. The important question, then, is how we live with caring about other people, given how painful and demanding that is.

digger · Post by **digger** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 6:58 pm

I don't care if you care or not - so long as you behave as if you do

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:14 pm

Ive been drawn back to this topic..finding it quite fascinating!
I take in all that Joao and Guest 2 say...I can even empathise with Joao on this...in this way;
I dont have to work...we have very good income..well my husband does..and as you say...have shelter,warmth, and can buy any food that takes my fancy. Yet I do work not only to earn a little income for myself but to get satisfaction on something Ive worked on (and in my line) nurtured to fruition.
This is a driving need in me.Why? Because I care.A simple thing like not being able to see a plant dying because it lacks water/nourishment.If I and others feel that strongly about 'a plant'? a bird? animal ..how ..as Guest2 says..we feel so much stronger about our fellow human beings..and indeed we do care!
Im finding it hard to explain myself properly here...except to say...you can have all the material needs satisfied...yet..you will still yearn for something more.
I dont believe you can be happy in the truest sense of the word..unless you care about others...even if ..as guest2 says..its sometimes brings us pain..but pain and pleasure often go hand -in hand

Gerry Cullen · Post by **Gerry Cullen** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 7:46 pm

This is where spiritual fulfillment comes in,ellie,a sense of being needed in the great plan.

redwinegirl · Post by **redwinegirl** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 10:34 pm

You should care, because there are too many that don't

By the way - I'm intrigued

Matt K · Post by **Matt K** » Sun Feb 22, 2004 11:36 pm

hmmm, anyone else think that maybe joao has spent a little too much time with his old friend Jack Daniels?

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 12:51 am

How d'you know what Joao drinks Matt?
Is he a friend of yours?

suppose..if we all had a few J.daniels..we wouldn't have a 'care' in the world?

Joao Pedro · Post by **Joao Pedro** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 2:35 pm

Caring must come near top of the list of how we do things which help define us at our most empathetic, giving, tender, reflective and nurturing, something most often seen within the same species of the animal world, and something increasingly sacrificed by man at the altar of consumerism.
Or so mama says, but what can she mean?

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Feb 23, 2004 5:29 pm

If you ask me Joao..youre mama sounds a wise woman.. and someone who obviously cares..for you..amongst others...lucky fella

Yes ..we can often learn from the animal world about 'caring'..though there are some species..the male of which will 'eat' their young..cant remember which at the moment !