I am posting below a long and arguably incoherent series of thoughts I’ve put together recently regarding the “progressive” movement across American politics. Although it addresses briefly the democratic process of voting, I think it generally applies more to the philosophical concept of peace. Curious any thoughts on this. (PS. Writing is clearly not a strong-suit of mine)
QUESTION: Do you think world peace can be achieved, and if so, how can we do it?
Happiness and peace are merely states of internal being. Likewise, so is suffering. The degree to which one suffers then, or remains at peace is completely subjective, regardless of the external environment in which one is placed.
On the surface, the environment may amplify the degree to which one suffers, or likewise, prospers but it is not the case that that which is deeply internal should be moved in either direction by the environment. There are two rich people, one may be “happy” the other “unhappy”, even tho they have the same thing. It depends on the individuals mental and spiritual attitude towards the thing, not the thing itself. Likewise, two people are in a concentration camp. One may experience complete despair while the other remains at peace.
Voting in a political system changes the external environment, but can not (except to a small degree) change an individuals internal mental and spiritual attitude. Additionally, because the external environment is so fleeting and temporal, one may only perceive to be happy for a definite amount of time, likely to become unhappy once more as the environment inevitably shifts once again.
Wouldn’t a better goal be then, to change the internal perspective of things so that no matter the external; the internal remains at peace.
Arguably, as the individual aqcuires internal peace, it is radiated outwardly and transferred to the external.
An individual votes on the basis that they would like to :
A) personal gain/ self interest
B) create a “better” external environment for all
A ) what is the point of this? If happiness does not come from the external environment then voting for a better life externally is not sufficient and happiness will never be obtained. Furthermore, even if superficial happiness were obtained, it is a brief moment and arguably pointless. You also have to do so knowing full well that what is good for you is necessarily NOT good for someone else, if not many others. You can not claim you are voting this way because it will create a better world because everything is subjective.
B) because “better” and happiness is subjective, it is impossible for one to make a decision that benefits all simultaneously. By pushing your beliefs forward, you set back others’ equally subjective and fair happiness.
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