Actively do good or refrain from evil?

[John A Roark]

Which is our duty--if indeed there can be a presumption of duty toward the performance of either?

Doctors say, "first, do no harm." Only then do they proceed to try and do good. In all cases (directly or indirectly), there is implicit permission.

Do we have any business trying to 'do good' without the permission of those on whom we seek to inflict our notions of good?

Or is it better that we just live our lives as best we can and mind our own damned business?

[m42]

I believe it depends on the situation. Something like this (http://www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/view/2247/59/) is difficult to ignore.

[John A Roark]

Actually, that's very easy for me to ignore.
I know none of them, and that's 9000 or more miles from my front porch.
I have only so much time, energy, and money.
I have plenty of things on which to work on right here at home.

[m42]

As I said. It depends on the situation.

My mother was pulled out of school against her will at age 13. I witnessed the impacts of her father's decision to terminate her education.

You started this thread. What (if anything) would it take for you to intervene in someone else's business?

[John A Roark]

The very first thing?
I would have to share at least some familiarity, on some level.
Strangers are the 'not-I,' the hoi polloi, the unwashed masses--'meat.'
For me, it's an equation: Work = Time x Energy = Love. I have to have a reason to love you, and that doesn't exist with strangers.
No, some sort of mystical "common humanity" does NOT bind us all together. If you tell me that every man's death diminishes me, I'll tell you that it diminishes him a dam' sight more. I have never bought into the crockery that helping someone ten thousand miles away whom I never met and likely will never meet somehow eqates to helping myself.
Helping the poor parent I see on the steps of a nearby private school once in a great while? Now, that's at least some familiarity, and that I have no problem doing.
Even that is touchy, as he may be too stinkin' proud to accept my help (a sentiment I understand).
I tend to offer help the same way I ask for help, e.g.: not very often, if ever.
But so far as political activism and social thuggery, there might not be enough money in even Bill Gates's pocket to push me off that cliff.

[m42]

mizaru, kikazaru, iwazaru? ;)

[John A Roark]

No 'monkeyshines' here!

[Dualedat73]

You can discuss ideas with him and explore things he is willing to share, but ultimately he has to choose his own path.

What is it that you are wishing to encourage?

[John A Roark]

mmmm... huh?