Quote:DN:
But I'm with E. F. Schumacher (in A Guide for the Perplexed), in which he says it is the "exceptional" that defines the human species. It is us human beings from which, say, Leonardo comes. I'm nothing like so brilliant as he, but he represents the species, as do Bach, great humanitarians, etc. There are no beast "geniuses" so far as I know (and I might be in error), but there are human geniuses of art, mathematics, moral integrity, and so on. I don't suppose the most intelligent crow, dolphin, or elephant is a model for others of its species to live up to, but the great humans can inspire us. I think there is, even in our decadent and declining age, at least a token recognition of this dimension of possibility to which humans have access -- uniquely, so far as I know.
There's another matter here too, which I don't propose to go into, but that I should mention. There is the human capacity for self-improvement that I've just mentioned. There's also something that's a difference of kind, not of degree, namely that a human being may become a "new creature" in union with Christ, the Word, the incarnate Torah; which can be effected first of all by "birth from above" in baptism. But we may want to restrict discussion to the "dimension of possibility" as something to which humans as such have access (and the beasts do not). Thus the dog-eat-dog scenario you mention, Sawfish, is a falling short that relates (I believe) to sin, but that can be very meaningfully discussed apart from religious beliefs.
I am pretty much on the same page as you, Dale, as regards the existence of exceptionalism *in individuals* and the potentially beneficial broad cultural influences if this exceptionalism is recognized, but more importantly ***valued***, by the populace as a whole.
Too, I recognize and strive for self-improvement, always using, of course, my own set of criteria--which frankly is likely very similar to your own, with a few significant exceptions.
But I'm seeing that such attributes as dignity, and self-pride/self-reliance--which are very high on my own list of value--have comparatively little popular value in current sensibilities. Add "nobility" to this, as well, and you can see why it's easy to be pessimistic.
Now egotism, self-promotion, and narcissism are held in very high regard, whether under those terms or not, so it's possible to have negative exceptionalism as well as positive (as you and I would see it).
So where I am, by default, is that I see the existence of exceptionalism in humanity--noting wryly also that other species could also have individuals exceptional in ways meaningful to that species, but not recognizable to ours--as a worthy goal that will be only partly achieved by some few self-aware people of integrity, while ignored when inconvenient by many, many others.
But for those who recognize and esteem positive exceptionalism, have at it, by all means. I do my best, as much as I can, but don't expect undifferentiated others to share this, and find that this way I'm seldom disappointed, and always prepared.
--Sawfish
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"The food at the new restaurant is awful, but at least the portions are large."
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