Tom Watson wrote in message . ..
On Fri, 08 Oct 2004 20:37:42 -0700, Mark & Juanita
wrote:


Why do you view something that someone has done with their own resources
for their satisfaction as money wasted and "not doing good?" Certainly
the people building the house benefited from its construction -- it
provided money and jobs. Those supplying water and fuel will benefit as
will those who provide maintenance and upkeep or who provide the supplies
for those activities.

It seems more Hubris to place oneself in judgement of what another does
with their resources and judging "all the good that might have been done
with just the money wasted ... "



"Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on
simplicity."



"[Socrates] There seem to be two causes of the deterioration of the
arts.

[Adeimantus] What are they?

[Socrates] Wealth, I said, and poverty.

[Adeimantus] How do they act?

[Socrates] The process is as follows: When a potter becomes rich, will
he, think you, any longer take the same pains with his art?

[Adeimantus] Certainly not.

[Socrates] He will grow more and more indolent and careless?

[Adeimantus] Very true.

[Socrates] And the result will be that he becomes a worse potter?

[Adeimantus] Yes; he greatly deteriorates.

[Socrates] But, on the other hand, if he has no money, and cannot
provide himself with tools or instruments, he will not work equally
well himself, nor will he teach his sons or apprentices to work
equally well.

[Adeimantus] Certainly not.

[Socrates] Then, under the influence either of poverty or of wealth,
workmen and their work are equally liable to degenerate?

[Adeimantus] That is evident.

[Socrates] Here, then, is a discovery of new evils, I said, against
which the guardians will have to watch, or they will creep into the
city unobserved.

[Adeimantus] What evils?

[Socrates] Wealth, I said, and poverty; the one is the parent of
luxury and indolence, and the other of meanness and viciousness, and
both of discontent."

Plato, The Republic, Book IV.



Regards,
Tom.

Thanks, Tom, for the reminder that these issues have been with us a
long, long time; and for the example of a disciplined mind, applied
with insight, to the question of "the good life".

The common and civil element in our choices--the realm of
responsibility and ethics--is missing in the gauntly individualist
"It's mine and I'll do what I want", and your quote describes well a
consequence of that loss.

No age is free from schlock, but we are building/buying homes (and
other structures) with little (or no) regard for the future or current
world. Those large Victorians housed large families (so did the
hovels), and most of the country still farmed. Our grandchildren will
curse our choices.

The one saving grace might be the shrinking of the middle class,
thanks in part to the vast difference in wealth creation and
distribution now underway. (We can thank GW and the tax "cut" for
some of this...damn, I think I just argued the "cut" was a good
thing.) ;-)


Dan