Whats your end game?

Recently in my ethics and values class we discussed the writings of Kai Nielson and his arguments on morality and religion. Nielsons makes it a point to empahsize that, if one's sole motivation to take any moral action is to obtain an eternal reward from a god or gods, they are childish and weak minded, and that there are deeper and more profound reasons for living and being.

I'd like to argue that there aren't. Not just in the aspect of religion, but in general.

One of newtons laws states "for every action, there is an equal but opposite reaction" is this not fact? Is this not a fundemental law of science? If it is indeed a law of physical science, is it safe to say "action reaction" is a law of human science and or behavior?

Give me an action, I'll give you a reaction. Give me an action and i'll give you an end game.

I eat for energy and pleasure.

I use the bathroom for relief.

I work for money.

I attend school for a chance at a better career.

Etc.

Every action has a reaction. Even Nielson has an end game to writing his essay, Nielson writes to make the religious look childish and selfish. But his action, whether he'd admit it or not, is motivated by the estimated reaction. So, is he, by his own logic, selfish and childish aswell?

Even quote, unquote "positive action" is motivated by the reaction.

I buy my wife flowers to make her happy. (and or to get some)

I practice moral behavior to feel like a moral person.

I treat others well so that I will be treated same in return.

Action, reaction.

So class, whats your endgame?

X > X?

Wearing a beret to your ethics and values class doesn't mean you understand the material better than your classmates.

Reading the bible doesn't make you more religious than your brother in law.

Screaming "fuck you!" on BYU campus doesn't mean your not just another "zoobie".

Writing a blog doesn't mean your opinion means more than a tweeters.

Being married doesn't mean you know more about life than your single friends.

Playing the guitar doesn't make you cooler then someone who plays the flute.

Falsifying an intellectual conversation with your friends doesn't mean you have more depth than the guys at the bar discussing the super bowl.

X is not > than X.

So many people today choose to define themselves by what they think makes them "better" than others. The fact is, no one human life, has greater, or lesser value than you do.

sorry chaps.

What is with this superiority complex? WHY do we feel the need to thrust others down, in order to lift ourselves up? if i really am as cool as i think i am in my head, why does it matter what people think of the guy sitting next to me?

news flash:

it doesn't.

Your own self worth shouldn't be based on how many of the people around you are "better" or "worse" than you are. The need to do ridicule others to establish self worth shows major insecurity on your part, and in reality, lowers peoples opinions of you.

so wise up, find your own ways to be better, new ways to test yourself, and set some goals for yourself to reach. Further your own personal growth, and find value in you in being better than you were yesterday, not in being better than your neighbor.

Something to chew on,

the littlest blogger