Hobbes’s definition that private conscience as distinct from Public conscience omits conveniently the fact that Public Conscience (?) has been formed after collective private consciences.This dichotomy is due to mixing up of ethics, which is normative against running day to day life ,which is pragmatical.Freedom of choice is individualistic and not collective.Conflict arises only when there is a different perception of the same issue eithet by many or by the same individual at different times.Put it simply, what one’s conscience says as Right at one point of Time, the same conscience will say Wrong at another time.
Then what is Right and what is Wrong at the individual level?
There are as many systems of thoughts as there are philosophers-Idealism,Empiricism,Pragmatism , Logical positivism.
Interesting to note the concept of ‘Dharma’ in Hindu Philosophy.Dharma is performing what one ought to in consonance with one’s Nature, which consists of his dispositions.This has to be tempered with social responsibilities, as we call Public judgements today.In case of Conflict,Public responsibility must take precedence. Compare this to Kant’s Categorical Imperative, which states an action is to be performed, because it ought be..
As for as political context goes, this option will help those who want to cross vote , as happened in India , when President V.V.Giri, won a conscience vote(cross voting),defeating official candidate of the Party in Presidential election.
Politics and Ethics do not mix.
Category: Society
-
Public Conscience Vs Private Conscience.
-
Corruption in UK.
Politicians of UK can not hold a candle to Indian politicians; nor the people of UK match the high level of people apathy.To quote an example, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu had his nominee in the central govt(federal govt)in the IT ministry.In offering Spectrum Band width allocation, Rs.60,000 crores(One $=Rupee 50) worth irregularities were found. The PM was also convinced of this.He could take no action as his party was dependent on the party the minister belonged to.But he made his displeasure known and refused to take him into the Cabinet, following recent polls. Despite the PM’s party did not need the minister’s party desparately,still he accommadated him in the same portfolio.
Tragedy is People have voted for the corrupt Minister and his party overwhelmingly.
Politicians in UK are children in corruption when compared to India and for voter apathy you can not match us. -
National Security-Press Vs Establishment
Establishment often resorts to National Security Tag when they feel they are threatened.Remember Nixon?Having said that mature decision has to be taken by the media to decide what is Natonal Security and what is not.It is not to be abdicated to anybody else.However, publisher’s political leanings have a say as well.It is a tricky situation.Unless credible repoting is done, news papers will be something people read-when they miss late night TV and one which puts in words between advertisenments
-
On Health Care-US
Intention is good, but it is doubtful whether the insured will really reap the benefits is a moot question.In India, there is a system where employers go in for insurance schemes for their employees with private companies.The process looks very simple, but the companies wiggle out of commitment quoting some clause or other.If service is bad in a private sector, I am afraid, it shall be worse in a cooperative system.Cooperative systems are found to be fount of corruption in India.
There is also no guarantee that the Insurance giants shall not gain entry through back door,which is exactly the insurance companies
<a href="http://<a href="http://“>s wanted.“>
You must be logged in to post a comment.