To me, a universe with (in this world) explicit and overt rewards and punishments lends a moral character to things that is rarely apparent and too easily abused (by myself or by others). "Oh, I am a good person, therefore I deserve the universe treating me well. That person is a naughty person, therefore I expect the universe to punish them." It rarely works out that way, except that being good (or evil) often does carry consequences/results that can seem like rewards or punishment.
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. As Abe Lincoln said.
By making it consequences/results, it places the responsibility on the actor (me), not the universe. It's neither an entitlement nor a deprivation -- it just is, and it's brought about by my own actions (and by my *reactions* as importantly).
4 Comments:
Hmmm. I have this as an Robert Ingersoll quote, from "Some Reasons Why":
"In nature there are neither rewards nor punishments -- there are consequences."
He also said, in a related note,
"Happiness is not a reward -- it is a consequence. Suffering is not a punishment -- it is a result."
I am sure you are right as always :).
I didn't agree with this when someone first said it but I think it has grown on me.
I agree...but I do have to say that, on the whole, the universe has been kinder to me than I have been to it.
To me, a universe with (in this world) explicit and overt rewards and punishments lends a moral character to things that is rarely apparent and too easily abused (by myself or by others). "Oh, I am a good person, therefore I deserve the universe treating me well. That person is a naughty person, therefore I expect the universe to punish them." It rarely works out that way, except that being good (or evil) often does carry consequences/results that can seem like rewards or punishment.
When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. As Abe Lincoln said.
By making it consequences/results, it places the responsibility on the actor (me), not the universe. It's neither an entitlement nor a deprivation -- it just is, and it's brought about by my own actions (and by my *reactions* as importantly).
So, yes, I like it, too.
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