The Perfect Religious Doctrine

[Aroura]

The reason I think that concept is important is because I think the idea that humans are "better" or even more special than other life, combined with the notion that the earth is ours to do with as we please, is extremely destructive. Not just to other life and the earth, but to ourselves. We need to have some kind of self regulation, where we go, oh yeah, we shouldn't cut down that whole forest before we think about what the long term consequences might be.

[brewer]

I don't have compassion for cane toads down under. There are others.

Well, maybe a better word would be connection?  Or respect? Because you may not like that animal, but they are part of the web of life and all that.
It isn't much different from the destruction people caused by killing wolves, or insects, or what have you. :  They seem like a pest, but we NEED them, because without them, other things we do need cannot survive.

It's not that I don't like the cane toad. I don't like it transplanted out of it's natural environment causing death and destruction. It is part of the web, but it has been moved to a part of the web where it never should have been, (thanks humans). We have invasive species that are killing off natural species (again, thanks humans). The invaders need to be stopped/controlled (humanely if possible).

[Aroura]

Well, maybe a better word would be connection?  Or respect? Because you may not like that animal, but they are part of the web of life and all that.
It isn't much different from the destruction people caused by killing wolves, or insects, or what have you. :  They seem like a pest, but we NEED them, because without them, other things we do need cannot survive.

It's not that I don't like the cane toad. I don't like it transplanted out of it's natural environment causing death and destruction. It is part of the web, but it has been moved to a part of the web where it never should have been, (thanks humans). We have invasive species that are killing off natural species (again, thanks humans). The invaders need to be stopped/controlled (humanely if possible).

Well, there you go!  In that case, shit is out of balance and needs correcting.

So, clearly, compassion for all life is too broad a term.  Respect for the natural balance of things?  Something like that.  Something that would help prevent the spread of invasive species in the first place.

[The Reality Salesman01]

We all have a responsibility to take care of our environment, but I think that's in a different category. When we say we want to maximize the happiness and well being of (x), I think it's clear we are discussing a certain type of living thing; the sort of living thing that is capable of experiencing the opposite ends of the spectrum with respect to those concepts, (i.e. Misery, anguish, cruelty, etc.). These are the domains that many other doctrines fell short. I think after we've secured these areas, we can move on to other business, such the protection of bacteria and toads! Lol

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Have compassion for all living things

Malignant tumors? Staph aureus? Clostridium botulinum?

Boru

[The Reality Salesman01]

Yeah, I think Aurora acknowledged that slippery slope a bit ago...

Teetering somewhere between compassion and responsibility is where we probably ought to be.

[brewer]

Since we're just beginning, how about starting out with limiting the discussion to humans. As this expands we can begin considering life further down the evolutionary tree.

[The Reality Salesman01]

Agreed. I tried to offer a few disclaimers a page back, I think it could be improved. Yes...I think we'll eventually get around to taking care of bacteria.

[brewer]

How about "live the best life that you can". That takes in: who you are, what you believe and external forces beyond your control.

[The Reality Salesman01]

But what if to me, "the best life" i can imagine involves all the rape I can get in before the sun comes up...?