23896
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We see our character as a restricting limit, but also as an unshakable support [Weil]
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Full Idea:
Our character appears to us as a limit by which we do not want to be imprisoned, …but also as a support that we want to believe is unshakable.
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From:
Simone Weil (On the Concept of Character [1941], p.100)
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A reaction:
A nice perception. It is fairly easy to criticise, or even laugh at, one's own actions, but extremely hard to criticise our own character. Maybe we all wish we were more determined in our projects, but not much else.
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23893
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We don't see character in a single moment, but only over a period of time [Weil]
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Full Idea:
Character is constant over a period of time; the way a person is at a single moment does not at all reflect the character of this person. We do, however, concede that character changes.
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From:
Simone Weil (On the Concept of Character [1941], p.98)
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A reaction:
I do think, though, that there are moments in behaviour which are hugely revealing of character, even in a single remark. But I agree that most single moments do not show much.
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23895
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We modify our character by placing ourselves in situations, or by attending to what seems trivial [Weil]
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Full Idea:
We can modify our character, by putting ourselves in circumstances that will act on us from the outside, …or by the orientation of our attention in the moments that appear most insignificant or indifferent in our lives.
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From:
Simone Weil (On the Concept of Character [1941], p.99)
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A reaction:
I've never seen anyone address this question (apart from Aristotle's emphasis on training habits). Choosing your source for current affairs information strikes me as very important. What you read, what you watch, who you spend time with…
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20544
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Berlin distinguishes 'negative' and 'positive' liberty, and rejects the latter [Berlin, by Swift]
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Full Idea:
Isaiah Berlin draws a famous distinction between 'negative' and 'positive' concepts of liberty, and argues that the latter should be seen as a wrong turning (because totalitarian regimes have invoked it).
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From:
report of Isaiah Berlin (Two Concepts of Liberty [1958]) by Adam Swift - Political Philosophy (3rd ed) 2 'Intro'
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A reaction:
Swift argues against him, saying that positive liberty is not a single concept (it's three), and has aspects that should be defended. I think I'm with Swift on that. Is religious freedom a freedom 'from' something, or a freedom 'to do' something?
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