At Exit 46 I have a decision to make. One road will take me to Columbia and Charleston. Another will take me to Raleigh and Wilmington. A third road will take me to Johnson City, TN, and a fourth road will take me to Knoxville, Nashville, and beyond. Different destinations and that's fine, if that's where I want to go. The choice is mine, but I need to realize that when I choose a direction, there is a fixed conclusion (end point) to my choice.
In a way--bear with me--this is like having a discussion with someone. If I accept without questioning the direction they want me to go, I have to ultimately accept their conclusions. In other words, I MUST question the validity of the premises with which they begin, or I have to accept the conclusions to which they are moving. For example, there is a basic rule of logical thinking: verify the validity of the original premise or accept the conclusion argued.
All horses are purple.
Seabiscuit is a horse.
Therefore, Seabiscuit is purple.
We are challenged with significant and persuasive ethical and social premises today. One argument begins with the fundamental value of rugged individualism. It is all about me. I did it. I am self-made. I pulled myself up by my boot straps; everyone else should do the same. I got mine now you take care of yourself. The other argument says we are a community. We are in this together. We all have talents and should do what we can for ourselves and then help take care of the less fortunate, marginalized, and disenfranchised.
We are at the crossroads. The choice is ours.
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