[March 2000 journal entry]
Every person’s views/decisions are relative and situational – i.e., (1) relative at least in the sense that every person’s views derive from some perspective or angle on the subject and (2) situational at least in the sense that every person’s previous experiences influence the manner and degree to which present situations are engaged. Therefore, the question is not whether views/decisions are relative/situational, but from what perspective/angle and set of experiences do one’s views/decisions derive.
If one’s perspective/angle for forming views/decisions is essentially ideological, then individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real will inevitably be viewed/treated within the parameters of the observer’s ideology and will be forced to confirm the credibility of that ideology. The observer’s views/decisions will often and easily be expressed as obvious, clear, and categorical . . . at the expense of objectifying or disrespecting individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real.
Treating as most basic (i.e., cornerstone or anchoring) the responsibility/art/practice of being truly present with individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real creates an alternative perspective/angle from which views/decisions derive. The observer’s views/decisions from this perspective/angle will rarely be obvious, clear, or categorical and individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real will not be objectified or disrespected by the observer.
Every person’s views/decisions are relative and situational – i.e., (1) relative at least in the sense that every person’s views derive from some perspective or angle on the subject and (2) situational at least in the sense that every person’s previous experiences influence the manner and degree to which present situations are engaged. Therefore, the question is not whether views/decisions are relative/situational, but from what perspective/angle and set of experiences do one’s views/decisions derive.
If one’s perspective/angle for forming views/decisions is essentially ideological, then individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real will inevitably be viewed/treated within the parameters of the observer’s ideology and will be forced to confirm the credibility of that ideology. The observer’s views/decisions will often and easily be expressed as obvious, clear, and categorical . . . at the expense of objectifying or disrespecting individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real.
Treating as most basic (i.e., cornerstone or anchoring) the responsibility/art/practice of being truly present with individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real creates an alternative perspective/angle from which views/decisions derive. The observer’s views/decisions from this perspective/angle will rarely be obvious, clear, or categorical and individuals whose life experiences make the ‘subjects’ concrete/real will not be objectified or disrespected by the observer.
