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2/21/05 - When I talk about civilized man, in general I'm speaking of the kind of person who exhibits tolerance, compassion, empathy, sympathy and compromise. I also believe that while altruism can be harmful if not understood and used appropriately, it is necessary in order to understand the values I mentioned above. After all, if you go through life as an egoist, you've never practiced any of the above "human" values, how can you be a civilized person. I believe that the capitalist republic that we live in here in America is a great idea, but I believe for the people it is best to have a small thread of socialism winding through the process in the guise of government provided healthcare, and social security. This, to me, is tantamount to an egoist personality with strong self esteem and a healthy sense of pride and dignity who also has humane tendencies of altruism such as tolerance, compassion, compromise and diplomacy. This to me is the essence of the civilized human in the context of the present time.

I used to believe that barbarism was simply an exhibition of ignorance and frustration among uneducated people who have penned up angst and confusion and have learned through their life that violence takes no thought, diplomacy or compromise. In the past they have been rewarded quickly for their violent solutions. I believe this is why barbarism will be very hard to eradicate. It has been said that in a battle, be it war or conversation, irrational barbarism will triumph every time because the civilized rational man must follow the rules of reason, while the irrational barbarian may act or speak on emotions alone which gives him the upper hand. Ultimately the civilized man is forced to act on barbarous terms to subdue the irrational man. It must be a secondary act for the civilized man after diplomacy fails. If the self proclaimed civilized man lashes out first without totally exhausting his rational diplomatic options, he is no rational man at all and has compromised his humanity and civility away.

There is many people of all types of economic, intellectual and social status in America. I will tell you now that a barbarous individual can play the role of a sophisticated entrepreneur, a high ranking government leader, a psychiatrist, a teacher, or a preacher. A civilized person can play the role of an ultimate fighting champion, a nuclear physicist, tattoo artist, or demolition expert. My point is, you really have to get to know a person before you can make a judgment about their civility. I used to think it was based mostly on lack of education, but I have seen lately that there is far more to it than that.

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