XPost: soc.culture.british, uk.philosophy.humanism, alt.philosophy.debate   
   XPost: rec.org.mensa   
   From: ralph@eddlewood.demon.co.uk   
      
   In message <1165014669.204395.67670@73g2000cwn.googlegroups.com>,   
   a_friend  writes   
   >   
   >i wrote:   
   >> In message <1164945293.584205.125460@80g2000cwy.googlegroups.com>,   
   >> a_friend  writes   
   >> >Use his money to benefit others? Why would he choose such a thing?   
   >>   
   >> Two reasons. Firstly, there is nothing material which he needs. What he   
   >> lacks is universal approval. It's easier to get that through massive   
   >> philanthropy than most other routes.   
   >>   
   >> Secondly, as a humanist I do not discount the possibility that he wants   
   >> to make a better world. If I had his money, that would seem to me a good   
   >> way to spend it.   
   >>   
   >> > If you want help, you could also help yourself. If others want help,   
   >> >they could also help themselves.   
   >>   
   >> Sure, nothing easier if you are an aids orphan in South Africa.   
   >   
   >You have made a few assumptions here. The most notable being that your   
   >definition of "better world" and Gates' definiton of "better world" are   
   >the same. I have no reason to assume that they would be.   
   >   
   >As for AIDS, the virus becomes a non-concern when it dies with it's   
   >host. This is not a popular viewpoint, but it would quickly contain the   
   >epidemic. Providing the means to allow the virus to spread to even more   
   >people isn't exactly a better world in my estimation. Perpetuating AIDS   
   >across the African continent is not in the best interest of Africans.   
   >   
   >As well, your argument for need has no basis in reality. This is merely   
   >a social construction to determine who has too much of something. If   
   >Gates thinks that he needs more money, who are you to suggest that he   
   >doesn't need anything? Should I determine if you have what you need, or   
   >should I leave that judgment to you?   
   >   
   But my biggest mistake was in thinking that you asked a question because   
   you needed an answer. Silly me!   
      
   --   
   ralph   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)