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George W Bush

Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

Azuresidus · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Location: Somewhere Else.

So long as you aren't doing something that hurts others, nothing is really wrong with doing what feels good.

George W Bush · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 9:03 am Post subject:

Azuresidus wrote: So long as you aren't doing something that hurts others, nothing is really wrong with doing what feels good.

I agree with this point.

However, some conservatives would say that your use of drugs, or excessive sex, or partying all the time - effects them.

Perhaps they feel society is "going downhill" and feel some freedoms need to be curved in order to create the idealistic world they desire.

Azuresidus · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Location: Somewhere Else.

George W Bush wrote: Azuresidus wrote: So long as you aren't doing something that hurts others, nothing is really wrong with doing what feels good.

I agree with this point.

However, some conservatives would say that your use of drugs, or excessive sex, or partying all the time - effects them.

Perhaps they feel society is "going downhill" and feel some freedoms need to be curved in order to create the idealistic world they desire.

If they don't like the drug use or the sex, they can leave the party. That way I'm not imposing my way of life on them, and they aren't imposing theirs on me.

Okay, that's probably an exaggeration. Drug use can cause you to harm others, and exposing minors to it is harming them, so I can understand curbing that particular freedom a bit. I personally am not all that fond of them, myself, and think that they tend to be more harmful than not in the end. Mind altering substances are responsible for alot of problems related to violence, so that falls under the "harming others" clause, in my book.

Excessive sex, with consenting adults can cause harm to no one but the two of them. So long as you aren't trading around diseases or traumatizing the young, it effects others not at all.

So long as parties don't get so out of hand as to cause damage or harm or disturb the peace, anyone elses opinion of what we are doing is not of concern.

Hurting others can be a bit more complex than hitting them with a baseball bat or something. But, so long as you aren't, do as you like. Have sex everyday with everyone (consenting adults, this is important) at a party with lots of drinking. So long as you aren't knowingly spreading HIV or driving while drunk afterwards, enjoy yourself. Isn't freedom wonderful?

SaladFingers · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 190

My only comment here, is that the "Just do what feels good" mentality is one of the contributing factors that has lead America to the crap hole it is in now.

Just look around, we are so filled with strife, rif-raff, and other social problems that we've lost our sense of worth. Heres to people like our great grandparents, who put in a hard days work and kept their moral fiber.

Now I think today's youth strives to achieve this one simple, close minded, ignorant, materialistic goal: "Buy me some bling-bling, slap bang a ho, and shoot a foo."

No aspirations to learn Arabic, Spanish, or Chinese to follow popular business trends? No aspirations to keep up with politics, the stuff that is changing the face of our global human enviroment?

I'm sure sooomeone here will try to shoot down my points, these observations are just based on the fact my wife is a history teacher, currently living in Houston, TX. So between what I read in the paper, and what she tells me, I draw my conclusions.

Me.. well I just sell insurance. :(

SaladFingers · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 190

Azuresidus wrote: George W Bush wrote: Azuresidus wrote: So long as you aren't doing something that hurts others, nothing is really wrong with doing what feels good.

I agree with this point.

However, some conservatives would say that your use of drugs, or excessive sex, or partying all the time - effects them.

Perhaps they feel society is "going downhill" and feel some freedoms need to be curved in order to create the idealistic world they desire.

If they don't like the drug use or the sex, they can leave the party. That way I'm not imposing my way of life on them, and they aren't imposing theirs on me.

Okay, that's probably an exaggeration. Drug use can cause you to harm others, and exposing minors to it is harming them, so I can understand curbing that particular freedom a bit. I personally am not all that fond of them, myself, and think that they tend to be more harmful than not in the end. Mind altering substances are responsible for alot of problems related to violence, so that falls under the "harming others" clause, in my book.

Excessive sex, with consenting adults can cause harm to no one but the two of them. So long as you aren't trading around diseases or traumatizing the young, it effects others not at all.

So long as parties don't get so out of hand as to cause damage or harm or disturb the peace, anyone elses opinion of what we are doing is not of concern.

Hurting others can be a bit more complex than hitting them with a baseball bat or something. But, so long as you aren't, do as you like. Have sex everyday with everyone (consenting adults, this is important) at a party with lots of drinking. So long as you aren't knowingly spreading HIV or driving while drunk afterwards, enjoy yourself. Isn't freedom wonderful?

Excessive, extravagent, unrestrained sex perverses the mind, and creates more then just a problem for the two people. Most people who spread STDs don't know they have them, and the "I dont care" mentality can apply even after they find out.

The morally upright thing to do: Stick with one partner, and have sex when you are both on a path to a stable relationship.

If you want to debate till the cows come home about how sex hasn't corrupted our society... I'd probably just point you to some good books. Cause based on what I read, I don't think either A) you fully approve of what you said, or B) youth is bliss, and hopefully with age will come wisdom and first hand observation of consequences proceeding life choices you made.

EDIT: OK so maybe that was a bit harsh. Primarily here's why I said what I said, going through high school and college I would need two hands to count how many women I was with.

Shamefully, I should have only needed 1 finger. Now I have a wife (she only had a boyfriend in high school), and one son, and we are (well she is) wanting more kids :\ I wake up every morning, on my way to the bathroom to shower, I look out around at everything I have in life, the house, the dog, look into my 4 year old sons room, and I kick myself in the ass everyday for mistakes, I totally regret all the things Ive done in my youth.

I mean, imagine being on the receiving end of being with a partner thats been with 8-13 other people before you. Do you think the love is unique, something special just for you? Or a generic, copy & paste technique thats been used on others, and your just #37 and he/she is going for #38 an hour after you guys are finished?

I wish someone would've sat me down hard on my ear in my early years and explained to me (realistically, probably beat me with a 2x4) that I was messing up.

perdidochas · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 15424 Location: Florida

George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

Azuresidus · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Location: Somewhere Else.

SaladFingers wrote: My only comment here, is that the "Just do what feels good" mentality is one of the contributing factors that has lead America to the crap hole it is in now.

The problem I have with your statement is the "Just" part. I am not saying that you should only do what feels good. Only that the fact that something feels good is not a reason to avoid it. And we should be free to choose to do what feels good so long as it is not hurting someone else.

Quote: No aspirations to learn Arabic, Spanish, or Chinese to follow popular business trends? No aspirations to keep up with politics, the stuff that is changing the face of our global human enviroment?

Actually, that would be kind of awesome. I'm considering moving on to a third language. Chinese may win. Not that I'm all that concerned with "business trends." I'm more into learning things for their own sake and being able to communicate with others. See, it makes me happy therefore I just might do it. Doesn't just apply to debauchery.

Quote: The morally upright thing to do: Stick with one partner, and have sex when you are both on a path to a stable relationship.

An opinion I share. But, it is only an opinion. And if it makes someone happy to do otherwise, they should be able to do so.

Quote: If you want to debate till the cows come home about how sex hasn't corrupted our society... I'd probably just point you to some good books. Cause based on what I read, I don't think either A) you fully approve of what you said, or B) youth is bliss, and hopefully with age will come wisdom and first hand observation of consequences proceeding life choices you made.

Thank you, no, I think I'll keep to my opinions about what's f*cked up our society and you can keep to yours. Really not the point here. I approve of what I said, as I said, for consenting adults. That is not to say that I take part in all of those behaviors, I don't. Well, I like parties, but that's about it. I simply think that the fact that someone finds them pleasant does not mean that they shouldn't engage in them. Remember where we started?

George W Bush wrote: Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

My point was that the fact that something feels good is no reason to refrain from it, whatever it is. You should consider your actions and the consequences, certainly, and decide. If it would hurt you or others, then you shouldn't do it. If not, feel free.

Azuresidus · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Location: Somewhere Else.

perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

In the usual context of instant self-gratification and such, no, definitely not. But it doesn't only have to mean that. Think of it this way, "if it feels right, do it." Somewhat less of a negative connotation on it that way. You can feel good about donating to charity, helping an old lady across the street, or giving a gift to someone that you love. In the long run, we tend to do most everything we do to feel good, sometimes even by making others happy. And I don't intend to do anything I'm going to feel bad about afterwards any time soon.

mojo · Joined: 08 Sep 2005 Posts: 5537 Location: Dreamland, NC

A dog does what feels good. A human should be able to practice more restraint.

The Central Scrutinizer

Azuresidus wrote: perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

In the usual context of instant self-gratification and such, no, definitely not. But it doesn't only have to mean that. Think of it this way, "if it feels right, do it." Somewhat less of a negative connotation on it that way. You can feel good about donating to charity, helping an old lady across the street, or giving a gift to someone that you love. In the long run, we tend to do most everything we do to feel good, sometimes even by making others happy. And I don't intend to do anything I'm going to feel bad about afterwards any time soon.

Exactly. I feel confident making the generalization that all people do what they believe will make them happy. That happiness can be caused by physical pleasure, intellectual growth and discovery, or that self-righteous feeling one gets from "doing the right thing." If a person makes a choice that results in less happiness than another option, they did not choose it because they wanted to. They simply miscalculated.

When faced with a choice, the choice will always be the one that seeks to maximize happiness, whether in the present or in the future. No one sane wants pain without gain. Perhaps the problem is not that we seek to "do what feels good," but that some of us have shortsightedly lost the concept of sacrificing something today for greater gains in the future.

The Central Scrutinizer · Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:03 am Post subject:

politicalmojo wrote: A dog does what feels good. A human should be able to practice more restraint.

Really? Please enlighten me. When was the last time you purposefully chose to do something with the intention of feeling bad?

Quicksurf · Joined: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 4675

So if I see a pretty girl, I should just rip off her close and rape her, so I can "feel good".

:roll:

I guess it's just my conservative philosophy, but people need to have restraints.

Azuresidus · Joined: 19 Jul 2006 Posts: 183 Location: Somewhere Else.

Quicksurf wrote: So if I see a pretty girl, I should just rip off her close and rape her, so I can "feel good".

:roll:

I guess it's just my conservative philosophy, but people need to have restraints.

Some part of "so long as you aren't hurting others" escaped your notice I'm guessing. Basic premise since the original post. I would say that rape constitutes hurting another human being. But maybe that's just my overly liberal philosophy.

Protostar

perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

Why not?

islandhopper · Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 364 Location: 10,000 Islands

Protostar wrote: perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

Why not?

Life's responsibilities, perhaps? Someday you'll understand that it isn't just about you (but you are young so you're excused).

toddytodd · Joined: 20 May 2006 Posts: 2736

George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

My opinion is that the whole 'it's bad to have an if it feels good do it attitude' came from a society that was heavily entrenched within religious beliefs. And if this was the case, I would be willing to bet it came from some type of mis-understood sexual issue. :roll:

People like to think they know everything and/or what's best for everyone. As long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, there is no reason why to be judgmental of the 'if it feels good do it' mindset.

Protostar

islandhopper wrote: Protostar wrote: perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

Why not?

Life's responsibilities, perhaps? Someday you'll understand that it isn't just about you (but you are young so you're excused).

Silliness. Of course it is. I wake up in the morning to see myself, not anyone else. I have no responsiblity except to myself and my actions as they may affect other people. Other than that I am responsible to noone. My lifes responsiblity is to myself. Everyone else is irrelevant, unless I deem them relevant.

perdidochas · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 15424 Location: Florida

Protostar wrote: perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

Why not?

Because sometimes we have to do things that don't feel good. Going to the beach with a cooler of beer feels a whole lot better than work......

Protostar

perdidochas wrote: Protostar wrote: perdidochas wrote: George W Bush wrote: Many conservatives lament a liberal ethic of doing what feels good.
However, to feel good is not neccessarily a bad thing.

For example, it feels good to think outside the box with new ideas and ways of changing things.

Therefore, it is difficult to understand the gripe towards someone doing what feels good.

I can understand the philosophy that "feel good do'ers" may consider murder as a way to feel good - and that is one place where doing what feels good is wrong.

But, what about the other scenarios - of doing what feels good. Why is it BAD to feel GOOD in circumstances that dont affect another person?

The problem is not with feeling good, but with using the rationale of "if it feels good, do it" as a mantra. Feeling good shouldn't be the sole reason for living.

Why not?

Because sometimes we have to do things that don't feel good. Going to the beach with a cooler of beer feels a whole lot better than work......

You go to work to get paid. Getting paid feels damn good!! 8:)