Arquivo para a ‘Information ethics’ Categoria
The War in Eastern Europe and Covid
05
Dec
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke with President Putin
for the first time since September, last Friday (12/02), for more than an hour, but made little progress.
The German leader tried to find a diplomatic path to the war, suggesting a withdrawal of Russian troops from the disputed regions of Ukraine, using the words “as soon as possible”, which indicates a possible escalation in the near future.
The shipment of long-range weapons to Ukraine suggests that an attack on Russian territory is possible, which would represent a new escalation in the war.
Kremlin diplomats conceded to German pressure, and Putin’s response to Schols was: “reconsider your approaches to the context of Ukrainian events” and drew attention to the “destructive line of Western states, including Germany” and therefore rejected the diplomatic negotiation proposals.
Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for the Kremlin, told journalists earlier that Putin was open to negotiations aimed at “securing Russian interests”, but it is clear that Moscow is not willing to accept the conditions imposed by the US: “what President Biden said in fact ? He said that negotiations are only possible after Putin leaves Ukraine”, and this hypothesis does not exist for Russia.
War continues to worry humanity and its escalation could lead to a conflict of catastrophic proportions.
Another problem that affects humanity is Covid 19, whose numbers have risen again, although less than the peak of the Pandemic, in Brazil 86 deaths have been recorded in the last week and a moving average of 26 thousand cases.
Straighten the paths
30
Nov
What is out of kilter In many times of transformation, the confused
and decadent environment induces irascible reasoning and temperaments and gives vent to what philosophers called drives or, if we want to simplify, a tendency towards what is easier, more useful and more pleasurable, without worrying about the consequences.
This type of impulse can be what in the English language is called “drive” (to direct) or in German trieb (both in the negative trieben deriva, and positive. Triebende driving force), so it is possible, in a very liberal reading, to see these values as positive, but historically they were signs of decay, as at the height of the Roman Empire or at the end of the Middle Ages, the maladjustment of social morals was clear.
However, in all these times, there have always been political, intellectual and social reactions to this decadence, and with that, history walked and some problems were solved, totally or partially, for example, the Roman Empire died little by little with the liberation of the colonies, already the period of liberalism and anthropocentrism at the end of the Middle Ages, gave rise to economic liberalism that led to the construction of new colonies in Africa and America and with this new forms of political and social decay extended until the French Revolution, for example, and in the English case, the coexistence of the monarchy with the republic.
A new cycle of decadence opens in this second decade of the millennium, with a visible fall in social and moral values, where politics is not a separate case.
Thus appear men and women capable of fighting to revert the historical picture of decay, but without a deep analysis the picture is confused, while ideas could be propagated in smaller circles in previous periods, now they travel the world in a fraction of seconds and invade even closed countries, such as Iran (there is a revolt for women’s rights) and China (where the strict confinement because of Covid provokes protests), but the background is a social reorganization.
In a small colony of Judea, in a period of many false prophets and rebellions against the Roman Empire, there was a religious figure called John the Baptist, who challenged the powers and governors, Herodes feared him not because he had an army or because the people followed him, but for the harsh words he had.
The lessons of John the Baptist are valid for our time: straighten the paths and level the hills, that is, seek straight paths that help open minds and forces to social reorganization.
Folly and messy house
29
Nov
In addition to the war in Eastern Europe, a possible return of the
pandemic, human common sense seems to be out of fashion, days are confusing, even the dates of the week and the end of the year, traditionally more festive and calm, seem to give in to an atmosphere of foolishness and protest, due to the sporting event that involves at least 32 nations: The World Cup.
Although the house is in disarray, all the political rage seems to have gone to football, in fact politics looks like football with organized supporters destabilizing social life and removing authorities from their status quo, the judge who lowers himself to the fool, the president who rebels with the power it represents, new land invasion movements and calls for more authoritarianism in the midst of an evident crisis of authority.
Although the fan threw the LGBTQIA+ flag on the lawn, he was also protesting the war in Ukraine and the oppression of Iranian women (see the picture).
The Cup already had a protest from an Islamic country that did not sing its own anthem, a fan who invaded the field to protest against gender inequality and even a request for the selection to be expelled from the World Cup, the player is injured and the fans themselves celebrates, finally, wisdom seems to be out of kilter.
After all, a sport is fun, it does involve passion, but it is only within its limits, and cultural diversity must also be respected, as well as the right to protest within the limits of the demonstration.
The important analysis is that none of these facts should be taken out of context, an isolated fact or just the manifestation of minority groups, the house is in disarray, there is something dark in the air.
There are isolated and muffled voices that ask for a return to the axis and the solution of problems that are serious, yes, but they cannot be solved with foolishness, a messy house requires care in tidying up every corner, cleaning every hidden object or left aside, and let that sport is what it is in essence, a peaceful way to compete and bring joy to balanced national hearts and sentiments.
New high in cases of Covid 19
21
Nov
Up for eight days, according to Uol’s website, with an average of 235%
compared to two weeks ago, the regions with the highest growth in Brazil are the Southeast with 333%, the Northeast with 228%, the North with 170% , the South with 160% and the Midwest with 93%, the numbers worry researchers, such as the Fiocruz Foundation.
Data from the foundation of Boletim Infogripe 45/2022 state that 47% of cases of respiratory diseases are due to Covid 19, and in a note on Saturday (11/19) it notes that new infections of covid 19 have skyrocketed across the country, the most The detailed data indicate that respectable infections were 10.3%, 3% for influenza A, 0.3% for influenza B, 24.2% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and 47% for Sars-Cov-2, among the deaths the presence of the same micro-organisms of the positive cases was 4.1% for influenza A, 0.01% for influenza B, and 1.4% for RSV while 83.6% for Sars-Cov-2 which is alertly, since even the number of deaths is still not great, the percentage is higher than the cases of respiratory viral infections.
The raw data are more than 600 daily deaths in recent days and the moving average reaching 15,500 cases, which characterizes the continuity of the pandemic process.
Sanitary restrictions are still partial, as it is a festive period it is possible that there is a higher tolerance limit, which is worrying, because even though commercial spaces remain open, it is almost politically impossible for them to close, care could be greater with hygiene and prevention with masks and alcohol gel, it is a fact that the population is tired, but it is preferable than going to death.
Government bodies need to take urgent measures, the current political crisis cannot prevent the pandemic from having new tragedies and the virus circulating more widely.
As we always do an analysis of the war in Eastern Europe, due to the seriousness and possibility of extending the war to the entire planet, we make a brief analysis of the retreat of the Russian forces at the same time that they try to undermine the country’s air defense and energy capacity, a since the cold has already started there and heating is vital for human life in Europe.
The damage caused by the missile that was launched towards Poland, with strong indications that it was launched from Ukrainian soil, diplomatically weakens Ukraine and makes the West rethink military and financial aid in the country, the war will have dramatic contours in winter terms humanitarian.
Among the corrupt, thieves and the blind
15
Nov
Blindness is not the privilege of a few, but birth blindness would
be something almost incurable because the cognitive apparatus is not prepared to see, corruption is practically an addiction, a compulsion and difficult to reverse as a character, and finally, theft is a compulsion not only moved by hunger, but mainly by the desire of usurpation and envy of many.
There are in the Bible three rare and personal cases in which there is a complete reversal of these values, this to show the radicalism and strength of faith on paradigmatic cases, the rich and runt Zacchaeus who needs to climb a tree to see Jesus has a radical change of life , the man born blind is healed and the thief crucified next to Jesus, who tradition has called Dimas, is not only redeemed but is invited to go to paradise, said from the mouth of Jesus: “he will still be with me today”.
These examples are to understand why life and society require change and conversion not only in large social plans, but in the individual attitude, however small it may be of each person, a moral and personal conversion is necessary to reverse a situation of obscurity.
In Brazil, it’s Republic Day, and the republican spirit means treating it with the “res” public thing, and Plato’s classic work brings some important thoughts, which need to be updated, of course (photo Praça da República, São Paulo, Brazil)
An interesting universal thought in Plato’s work is: “and each of us does not seek to obtain a certain particular benefit not common to all”, in another passage: “the evil that is not discovered becomes worse still, while, when discovered and punished, the bestial element calms down and softens…”, in short, these are republican norms that must be respected.
Plato, who believed that the soul was immortal, not in the Christian sense, states that it is “capable of enduring all evils, as well as all good, we will always keep to the ascending road, and in any case we will practice justice and wisdom.” ”, which are essential.
Plato Republic. (Wikipedia).
Ethics and morals are important
26
Oct
From Greek society, through all cultures and generations, 
societies develop rules and moral conduct as part of their social stability, it is true that they must evolve, but without them the vacuum of organization and power leads to a cultural civilization crisis.
Even the Frankfurt school theorist Adorno wrote a book called “Minima moralia”, the book in addition to showing the overcoming of Hegel’s Phenomenology of Spirit, to the argument that the life “of the spirit only conquers its truth when it finds itself even in absolute detachment …it is not this power, like the positive, that separates itself from the negative” (Adorno, 1951, p. 5-6) and argues that this is due to his attachment to liberal thinking that overvalues the individual.
Philosophizing on the conflict of generations, where he exposes problems of the various ages of life, he will state that: “With horror it must be recognized that many times already before, in opposition to the parents, because they represented the world, the bearer was in secret. voice of a worse world in the face of the bad world” (Adorno, 1951, p. 11).
So, unlike Marx who cursed the family, whoever wants to read his writing “The Holy Family”, Adorno will dissect marriages based on interests, saying “the more “generous” the mutual relationship between the spouses was originally, the less they had thought of property and obligation, the more odious will be the degradation; because it is within the scope of the legally indefinite that disputes, defamation and the incessant conflict of interests thrive! (Adorno, 1951, p. 21).
He makes an analogy with slamming the door, in the sense of respecting individuality and also having the lightness of care, compares this to the doors of cars and refrigerators: “It removes all hesitation, all care, all urbanity from gestures” (Adorno , p. 29) and explains the fact that they close on their own.
Although relatively old, its reading is current in confronting Hegel’s self-consciousness, which was the truth of self-certainty; said in Phenomenology: “the native realm of truth” for what today is the conscious self: “the reflection of the self as perplexity, as the perception of impotence: knowing that nothing is” (Adorno, 1951,p. 40).
Although relatively old, its reading is current in confronting Hegel’s self-consciousness, which was the truth of self-certainty; said in the Phenomenology: “the native realm of truth” for what today is the conscious self: “the reflection of the self as perplexity, as the perception of impotence: knowing that nothing is” (Adorno, 1951, p. 40).
He speaks of the crisis of thought: “always talk, never think” (p. 55), the absence of interiority in “inside and outside” (p. 57) and asks for “a morality of thought” (p. 64) in society of narratives.
Valuing family relationships, the relationship between parents and children, empathy and sensitivity still exist.
ADORNO, T. Minima Moralia, primeira edição 1951, Portugal: Lisboa, edições 70. (Pdf)
The Pharisee and the Sinner
21
Oct
There are personal and public sins, but the relationship between them is clear, whoever is not honest and morally upright individually will find it difficult to be so in public, and this is
notorious.
False spirituality is one that hides its own interests behind religiosity without actually adhering to the values of solidarity and fraternity necessary for this.
Each culture, religion or social group develops its own rites and languages, and sometimes, this makes manipulation easy by those who do not know in depth what is in each culture, as many have ancestral roots, it can be difficult to understand their social origin and their values, this makes manipulation easier.
However, what really reveals the true face of each culture is its public attitude, because what it really is is revealed in it.
There is an Aesop fable in which a cat becomes the most beautiful woman at a court party and enchants everyone, however when a mouse appears she devours it, showing her true face.
It is no different in religion, those who do not have true spirituality find some difficulty in public life with their values, they do not engage in dialogue because they are intolerant, they do not practice solidarity because they are selfish and they do not love because they are close to the rigidity of hatred and this difficulty see the different, the Other.
There are several biblical passages that refer to the theme, such as the one that calls false religious “whitewashed tombs”, another that says they praise God with words, but the heart is far away, but the clearest passage is that of the sinful who sits at the back because he fears God and the Pharisee who sits at the front to magnify himself, at the end the text says (Lk 18:14): “I tell you, the latter went home justified, the other did not. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
There can be a fair division
20
Oct
The union of society and peoples has always been desirable in peaceful ways, which happens when it becomes unfeasible in a polarized society, something that some social forces
not only encouraged but spread in the social fabric.
What happens on a broader horizon is war, in an environment closer to the citizen is the growth of hatred, intolerance and little empathy and dialogue.
Presenting values that are not practiced is, in addition to hypocrisy, a great social decoy, one bets on what will never be accomplished, and both peace and war are achievable.
A fair division is thus one that, within a broad process of social division, of imposing ideas and political, religious, gender intolerance (heteros are also a gender) promotes concord and the possibility of dialogue, it is heroic, but it is true .
True because it promotes a fair division between the intolerant and the true and sincere democrats, who are peaceful and who want a coexistence between the different and the diverse, it is a type of division also because it separates the hypocrites from the realists and sincere.
These positions also require firmness, resilience and tenacity, it is not for the weak but for those who are truly strong, but without the use of brute force, they only use the coherence of ideas, arguments and are in fact open to dialogue.
It is the division with authoritarians, imposters, liars and demagogues, they never do what they actually claim to promote, they want to see only “their side” of history, only their version of the facts, their imposition of “community” ideas, but of few and not of the social set.
There is a simple reading of this type, they are characterized by arrogance, by the rejection of dialogue, the “other side” is always wrong, but the arguments are just irony and contempt.
Those who despise the different, the diverse, have no democratic basis or logic of dialogue, with these there is indeed a social division, because they are against peaceful coexistence between opposites.
Between faults and crimes
19
Oct
In the face of a situation of danger or pressure, we can all
commit faults and mistakes, but the most socially punished crimes are those that are committed intentionally or worse still premeditated, carefully planned and with the refinements of evil.
There are also crimes that are tolerated and should not be, such as cases of prejudice or systematic theft, even of things of little value, society can and must defend itself in these cases to prevent what is evil from spreading, and if the justice is conniving it is also an accomplice in these crimes.
However, modern society does not know how to deal with human faults and mistakes and that the person has the right to correct himself or repair possible damages, given the religious message these people are liable to repair, but they must recognize the faults.
It can also happen that serious faults are committed by people who have a certain social respect, administrators, public figures and religious authorities and they do not recognize that their faults are equally grave and this type of hypocrisy or self-righteousness occurs with some frequency.
They are particularly serious because they are being practiced by those who should play the exact opposite role to what they do, and the power to culturally propagate evil is greater.
This needs to be socially exposed so that society can also defend these crimes, they are potentially greater because they go beyond the crime itself and spread false values.
The society that does not fight them becomes morally perverse and can reach the point of a civilizational rupture, wars in general are on these limits and for that reason alone they are dangerous.
A culture of peace must include in everyday values messages referring to values of peace.
The unwanted peace
12
Oct
Two sides measuring forces, with increasingly aggressive attacks,
is not just what is happening in Ukraine, but the general civilizing climate, few believe in peace and reconciliation of peoples.
The civilizational crisis predates the two wars and for many analysts it expanded afterwards.
Even in the religious milieu, there are those who condemn, saying that they seek a “single religion” or the work of the devil will be a climate of tolerance and peace between religions, after all what Bible they read.
The latest attacks by Moscow on Ukraine, launched 80 missiles in several cities, including the capital Kiev, the objective was mainly to hit infrastructure, some cities had power cuts and supply difficulties, it is considered a response to the bombing of the bridge that connects the Crimea to Russia.
The G7 scheduled an emergency meeting (photo), we warned in a post that the wait for the G20 meeting for November was a very long period, and the northern hemisphere will already be on the verge of winter and dependent on Russian gas for heating environments.
The entire West condemned the Russian attacks, of course there are many websites and newsletters that are pro-Russia and in fact we warned in Monday’s post that a peace proposal would be possible.
Is Russia in despair over the setbacks or now we actually have a total and open war, what kind of response the G7 can give is a question, Ukraine wants a protective shield for these attacks, Russia wants recognition of the annexed regions.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cabusoglu called for an urgent ceasefire, but stressed that a “just peace” would mean maintaining the integrity of Ukraine’s territory.
Yesterday’s G7 meeting announced “indefinite” support for Zelesnky, but practical is humanitarian aid until 2024, while the Ukrainian president calls for an air defense system that he called his “number 1 priority”, the war. goes beyond the limits.
Russia tries to drag Belarus into the war, while Ukraine involves the European Union.
When we see the sanity response coming from Turkey and a west dragging itself to war, we have to understand where this crisis of civilization comes from where hatred and intolerance spread.
