Throwing Stones

Other than the normal uncertainties of life, we celebrate the fact that everyone has a mind, a will and the ability to act. Humans beget actions as we beget children so we should take responsibility for actions in the same way we take care of children. Individuals and legislatures alike work toward making them turn out well using punishment for wrongdoing and reward for doing well. There is no point in punishment for things that come natural such as emotions and hunger. This is also true for ignorance but sometimes ignorance is a choice too. A drunk driver causes rage if he ignores safe driving due to intoxication. Getting drunk was a deliberate act. There are also courtesies and basic laws that everyone is expected to know. Someone who should know basic things or is careless is responsible for his wrongdoing.

Some people are just lazy and don’t care. But not caring is never an excuse since there was a point that they did know the right principles but abandoned them. Character is formed by the activities exercised in each area of life. And as good character is practiced, it becomes easier. We see this with athletes and in health also. To say that habits don’t affect how we react to things is the mark of a senseless person. Everyone wants to be good and do well and it is irrational to think otherwise. Someone who knows what is right but purposely violates the right principles we consider responsible for his actions. We cannot say that by wishing he did right gives him a pass. It is his own fault if person who is ill becomes that way because he ignored his doctor’s orders.  This person had a chance to become well but threw it away and like a stone after it is thrown, the actions cannot be retrieved.  The ramifications are there and this person shouldn't suddenly declare he was a victim.   

We see that the principles concerning the soul mirror those of the body. There is natural beauty and youth. Some look and feel the way they do due to neglect and others might have infirmities or deformities. So those who are handicapped due to defect are respected but those due to neglect are reproached. A work related injury and one due to drunkenness are looked at differently. It gets down to the fact that things that are in our own power to do are assigned blame and reward while truly involuntary things are given a pass since we consider the recipients victims.  Next time we will look at what causes people who know to do good go wrong.