Wisdom and Cheese (General)

by Balance_Maintained , U.S.A., Friday, December 02, 2011, 19:43 (4740 days ago) @ dhw

I’m probably being dense, but I’m not sure what you’re actually getting at. What exactly is the point of digging into the possible meanings/interpretations of ancient Hebrew terminology? We have enough trouble reaching agreement on our modern terms! For instance, I find your earlier equation of sin with “mistake” incongruous. Saying ‘tomato’ instead of ‘potato’ is a mistake, but would you really describe the rape and murder of a child as a ‘mistake’ or as ‘not correct’? We have different words to describe different actions and concepts, and that is how and why language evolves. Of course what is considered right/wrong, good/bad, virtue/sin will depend on each society, or even each group within society, or even each individual within society. What, then, is the relevance to us of the terminology or even the morality of the Ancient Jews? My basic rule is that if actions cause unnecessary harm to others, they’re bad. If they make others happy, they’re good. That is all we chocolate-eaters know, and maybe all we need to know.

Their are several reasons I think it is important to make the distinction, though admittedly the majority boil down my own personal curiosity. On that I do think is important is, for example, from the biblical standpoint, homosexuality, bestiality, incest and things like that are a 'sin'. Obviously, from a modern standpoint, homosexuality is considered, while perhaps nor normal, at least not a 'sin'. However, if you compare the description with the understanding of functional and dysfunctional, the concept makes much more sense. The intended purpose of mating is reproduction. Homosexuals and those practicing bestiality are not going to be able to reproduce, and incestuous relationships lead to birth defects, thus, none of these things 'function' in regards to the intended purpose.

The same could be said for the so called 'seven deadly sins'. It is not a moral imperative, but simply, things that are dysfunctional. For example, gluttony will kill you because in is outside the intended scope of eating. Yes, hurting others is bad. I am not disagreeing with you on that point. However, I disagree with you that it is 'all we need to know'.

Another reason is because we have a tendency to project our current knowledge and beliefs and understanding on people that lived in a different world with a different understanding of reality. From a historical and anthropological perspective I think it is good for us to have a accurate understanding of what they thought and believed.

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What is the purpose of living? How about, 'to reduce needless suffering. It seems to me to be a worthy purpose.