Theos-Talk Archives (January 1997 Message tl00105)

(This is one of two posts which never showed up, according to my register,
on theos-l.  If some did receive these posts, I apololgize for the repetition.) 


Tom wrote in response to Ann:

>This reflects the unrealistic assumption that human beings are trustworthy.

This does go back to the conservative theory that people are irrational
(thereby justifying elitism).  

There will come a day when it is finally realized that people are inherently
good. People naturally want to trust, and do.  The belief and acceptance of
trust is also based on rational thought.  Trustworthiness is established
when specific criteria have been met, when it is shown that in particular
circumstances, one can be trusted. 

It is peculiar how conservatives claim the supremacy of the individual, yet
go on to declare that trusting one may be your undoing.

>The more that people trust each other, the more profit
>there is in cheating, since it will not be expected, and the number of
>cheaters will increase.

This conclusion has been proven wrong by history.  It is when people don't
trust each other that cheating increases.  Anxiety that one may not receive
what one needs is conducive to cheating.  Insecurity, fear, and suspicion
propel individuals to adopt less than honest conduct to cope and survive.  

>The less that people trust each other, the less
>profit there will be in cheating, and the number of cheaters will decrease.

Again, looking around you will prove this assessment false.  Cheating is
abundant today, not because people overly trust each other, but because
people don't trust each other enough.  


>"A conservative is a liberal who has been mugged by reality."


"A liberal is a conservative who has been arrested."


Kym