Utilitarianism is an ideology built by John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) and Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832), and is based on the idea that the moral worth of an action is determined solely by its utility in providing happiness among all beings. In other words, the worth of an action is determined by its outcome.
This ideology was the basis of JSM's strong opposition to Slavery, and for this support for Women's Rights.
Quotes by JSM -
"A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable to them for the injury."
"Indeed the dictum that truth always triumphs over persecution, is one of those pleasant falsehoods which men repeat after one another till they pass into common places, but which all experience refutes."
"No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible until a great change takes place in the fundamental constitution of their modes of thought."
"One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who have only interests."
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself."
"Next to selfishness the principal cause which makes life unsatisfactory is want of mental cultivation." (Defence of Hedonism)
Everyone who receives the protection of society owes a return for the benefit. (On Liberty)
Over one's mind and over one's body the individual is sovereign. (On Liberty)
"The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant."
(On Liberty)
"He who lets the world, or his own portion of it, choose his plan of life for him, has no need of any other faculty than the ape-like one of imitation. He who chooses his plan for himself, employs all his faculties. He must use observation to see, reasoning and judgment to foresee, activity to gather materials for decision, discrimination to decide, and when he has decided, firmness and self-control to hold to his deliberate decision." (On Liberty, 1859)
"No one can be a great thinker who does not recognize that as a thinker it is his first duty to follow his intellect to whatever conclusions it may lead. Truth gains more even by the errors of one who, with due study, and preparation, thinks for himself, than by the true opinions of those who only hold them because they do not suffer themselves to think."(On Liberty, 1859)
"The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it. Each is the proper guardian of his own health, whether bodily, or mental or spiritual. Mankind are greater gainers by suffering each other to live as seems good to themselves, than by compelling each to live as seems good to the rest." (On Liberty, 1859)
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Bismarck & Moltke
Some of the most forthright comments I have come across about international relations are from Otto Van Bismarck, the Iron Chancellor of Germany (1815-1898) and Helmuth von Moltke (1800-1891).
Here is an excerpt from Bismarck's advise to a Japanese (Iwakura) mission in 1872:
"Nations these days appear to conduct relations with amity and courtesy, but this is entirely suprfricial, for behind this facade lurks mutual contempt, and a struggle for supremacy. As you gentlemen know, when I was a young boy Prussia was weak and poor. The state of this small nations at that time fills me with such intense indignation that I cannot dispel the image from my mind. First, so-called international law, which was supposed to protect the rights of all nations, afforded us no security at all. When there was a dispute, the great powers would invoke international law and stand their ground if they stood to benefit; but if they stood to lose, they would simply change direction and resort to military force, which was never limited to self-defence alone. However, small nations like ours would assiduously stick to the letter of the law and abide by universal principles, not daring to transgress these. Consequently, in the face of manoeuvring with flattery and contempt by the great powers, we invariably failed to protect our right of independence, no matter how hard we tried."
"Incensed by this deplorable state of affairs, we gathered our strength as a nation and strove to cultivate out patriotic spirit in order to become a country worthy of respect in diplomatic affairs..."
And Moktle in Feb, 1974:
"The principles of law, justice and freedom serve to protect the country domestically, but only military power can protect it abroad. International law, too, is concerned only with a country's strength and weakness, for its is the small nations which remain neutral and are protected solely by this law, whereas great powers must use their strength to claim their rights"
-----------------------------------
Reference:
Kume, Kunitake (1880s), Japan Rising - The Iwakura Embassy to the USA and Europe 1871-1873, Cambridge University Press (2009), pp. 306-7, 311
Here is an excerpt from Bismarck's advise to a Japanese (Iwakura) mission in 1872:
"Nations these days appear to conduct relations with amity and courtesy, but this is entirely suprfricial, for behind this facade lurks mutual contempt, and a struggle for supremacy. As you gentlemen know, when I was a young boy Prussia was weak and poor. The state of this small nations at that time fills me with such intense indignation that I cannot dispel the image from my mind. First, so-called international law, which was supposed to protect the rights of all nations, afforded us no security at all. When there was a dispute, the great powers would invoke international law and stand their ground if they stood to benefit; but if they stood to lose, they would simply change direction and resort to military force, which was never limited to self-defence alone. However, small nations like ours would assiduously stick to the letter of the law and abide by universal principles, not daring to transgress these. Consequently, in the face of manoeuvring with flattery and contempt by the great powers, we invariably failed to protect our right of independence, no matter how hard we tried."
"Incensed by this deplorable state of affairs, we gathered our strength as a nation and strove to cultivate out patriotic spirit in order to become a country worthy of respect in diplomatic affairs..."
And Moktle in Feb, 1974:
"The principles of law, justice and freedom serve to protect the country domestically, but only military power can protect it abroad. International law, too, is concerned only with a country's strength and weakness, for its is the small nations which remain neutral and are protected solely by this law, whereas great powers must use their strength to claim their rights"
-----------------------------------
Reference:
Kume, Kunitake (1880s), Japan Rising - The Iwakura Embassy to the USA and Europe 1871-1873, Cambridge University Press (2009), pp. 306-7, 311
Friday, February 19, 2010
Mao-isms: Gems from the Great Leader
Guerrilla tactics:
`The enemy advances, we retreat.
The enemy camps, we harass.
The enemy tires, we attack.`
"Six Principles of the Red Army":
At the Community Party Congress in 1959, taking responsibility for that grand fiasco - the Great Leap Forward (1958-63) - which resulted in food shortages that led to the death of about 20m people:
"The chaos caused was on a grand scale, and I take responsibility. Comrades, you must all analyse your own responsibility. If you have to fart, fart. You will feel much better for it."
------------------------------------
LINKS
`The enemy advances, we retreat.
The enemy camps, we harass.
The enemy tires, we attack.`
"Six Principles of the Red Army":
- Put back all doors when you leave a house
- Rice-stalk mattresses must all be bundled up again and returned
- Be polite. Help people when you can.
- Give back everything you borrow, even if it’s only a needle.
- Pay for all things broken, even if only a chopstick.
- Don’t help yourself or search for things when people are not in their houses.
At the Community Party Congress in 1959, taking responsibility for that grand fiasco - the Great Leap Forward (1958-63) - which resulted in food shortages that led to the death of about 20m people:
"The chaos caused was on a grand scale, and I take responsibility. Comrades, you must all analyse your own responsibility. If you have to fart, fart. You will feel much better for it."
------------------------------------
LINKS
- Excerpts from the Little Red Book - http://www.paulnoll.com/China/Mao/Chairman-Mao-quotes.html
- Other Mao Quotations (BrainyQuote) - http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/author/m/mao_zedong.html
- Great Leap Forward - http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/great_leap_forward.htm
- ThinkExist.com - http://thinkexist.com/quotes/mao_tse-tung/4.html
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Napoleon & Realpolitik
A Constitution should be short and obscure.
A leader is a dealer in hope.
A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.
A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.
A true man hates no one.
Ability is nothing without opportunity.
Among those who dislike oppression are many who like to oppress.
An army marches on its stomach.
Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.
Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.
He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.
History is a set of lies agreed upon.
I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other.
I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and harmonies.
If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.
If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.
In order to govern, the question is not to follow out a more or less valid theory but to build with whatever materials are at hand. The inevitable must be accepted and turned to advantage.
In politics stupidity is not a handicap.
In politics... never retreat, never retract... never admit a mistake.
It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr.
Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues.
Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.
Men take only their needs into consideration - never their abilities.
Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.
One must change one's tactics every ten years if one wishes to maintain one's superiority.
One should never forbid what one lacks the power to prevent.
Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult.
Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.
Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.
Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them.
Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy.
Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.
Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.
The act of policing is, in order to punish less often, to punish more severely.
The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.
The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.
The best way to keep one's word is not to give it.
The great proof of madness is the disproportion of one's designs to one's means.
The herd seek out the great, not for their sake but for their influence; and the great welcome them out of vanity or need.
The human race is governed by its imagination.
The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague.
The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.
The strong man is the one who is able to intercept at will the communication between the senses and the mind.
There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.
When small men attempt great enterprises, they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.
You must not fear death, my lads; defy him, and you drive him into the enemy's ranks.
True conquest are those - the only ones that leave no regret - are those that are wrested from ignorance
My power depends on my glory, and my glory, on my victories.
I had been nourished by reflecting on liberty but i thrust it aside when it obstructed my path
I always felt that Alexander the Great's idea of having descended from the gods was inspired by a sure instict for real politics.
I am the instrument of providence...she will use me and then break me like a glass.
A celebrated people lose dignity upon a closer view.
A leader is a dealer in hope.
A revolution is an idea which has found its bayonets.
A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.
A throne is only a bench covered with velvet.
A true man hates no one.
Ability is nothing without opportunity.
Among those who dislike oppression are many who like to oppress.
An army marches on its stomach.
Courage is like love; it must have hope for nourishment.
Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets.
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
He who fears being conquered is sure of defeat.
He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.
History is a set of lies agreed upon.
I am sometimes a fox and sometimes a lion. The whole secret of government lies in knowing when to be the one or the other.
I love power. But it is as an artist that I love it. I love it as a musician loves his violin, to draw out its sounds and chords and harmonies.
If you want a thing done well, do it yourself.
If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing.
In order to govern, the question is not to follow out a more or less valid theory but to build with whatever materials are at hand. The inevitable must be accepted and turned to advantage.
In politics stupidity is not a handicap.
In politics... never retreat, never retract... never admit a mistake.
It is the cause, not the death, that makes the martyr.
Men are more easily governed through their vices than through their virtues.
Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest.
Men take only their needs into consideration - never their abilities.
Never ascribe to malice that which is adequately explained by incompetence.
Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake.
Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide.
One must change one's tactics every ten years if one wishes to maintain one's superiority.
One should never forbid what one lacks the power to prevent.
Public opinion is the thermometer a monarch should constantly consult.
Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet.
Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich.
Riches do not consist in the possession of treasures, but in the use made of them.
Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy.
Soldiers generally win battles; generals get credit for them.
Take time to deliberate, but when the time for action has arrived, stop thinking and go in.
The act of policing is, in order to punish less often, to punish more severely.
The battlefield is a scene of constant chaos. The winner will be the one who controls that chaos, both his own and the enemies.
The best cure for the body is a quiet mind.
The best way to keep one's word is not to give it.
The great proof of madness is the disproportion of one's designs to one's means.
The herd seek out the great, not for their sake but for their influence; and the great welcome them out of vanity or need.
The human race is governed by its imagination.
The infectiousness of crime is like that of the plague.
The people to fear are not those who disagree with you, but those who disagree with you and are too cowardly to let you know.
The strong man is the one who is able to intercept at will the communication between the senses and the mind.
There is only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.
When small men attempt great enterprises, they always end by reducing them to the level of their mediocrity.
You must not fear death, my lads; defy him, and you drive him into the enemy's ranks.
True conquest are those - the only ones that leave no regret - are those that are wrested from ignorance
My power depends on my glory, and my glory, on my victories.
I had been nourished by reflecting on liberty but i thrust it aside when it obstructed my path
I always felt that Alexander the Great's idea of having descended from the gods was inspired by a sure instict for real politics.
I am the instrument of providence...she will use me and then break me like a glass.
A celebrated people lose dignity upon a closer view.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Realpolitik / Reasons of State / raison d'État
Quotations attributed to Napolean
Quotations from 'Juilus Ceaser' (Shakesphere)
Quotations by Blaise Pascal
Quotations from 'Juilus Ceaser' (Shakesphere)
Quotations by Blaise Pascal
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Brevity
Philip, Alexander's father, sent Sparta a message:
"If I enter Laconia, you shall be exterminated."
He received just one word in answer:
"If".
"If I enter Laconia, you shall be exterminated."
He received just one word in answer:
"If".
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Mayank's Favourites
Everyone wants to be strong and self sufficient, but nobody is willing to put in the work necessary to achieve these goals.
- Mahatma Gandhi
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. - Mahatma Gandhi
Less is More. - Mies van der Rohe
I’d Rather Be Birding - June Osborne
I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance. - Steve Jobs
The only person you are truly competing against, is yourself. - Captain Jean-Luc Pickard (Star Trek TNG)
There are many parts of my youth that I am not proud of. There were loose threads, untidy parts of me that I would like to remove, but when I pulled on one of those threads, it had unravelled the tapestry of my life. - Captain Jean-Luc Pickard (Star Trek TNG)
To lose something, one must first possess it. - Lt. Worf (Star Trek TNG)
The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else. - Martina Navratilova
I don't know anything about anything. - Idunnowho
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. - Mahatma Gandhi
I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill. - Mahatma Gandhi
Sometimes, when you no longer see yourself as the hero of your own drama, expecting victory after victory, and you understand deeply that this is not paradise... the privileged ones that we are, somehow embrace the notion that this veil of tears is perfectable, that you're going to get it all straight. I found that things became a lot easier when I no longer expected to win. I put this into a song called 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' wherein you abandon your masterpiece and you sink into the real masterpiece. - Leonard Cohen
If it be your will, that I speak no more, and my voice be still, as it was before. I will speak no more, I shall abide until, I am spoken for, if it be your will. - Leonard Cohen
I am not a very nostalgic person. I neither summon up regrets, nor have occasions for self congratulations. It just isn't a mechanism that operates very strongly in me. - Leonard Cohen
If you build it, they will come. - Field of Dreams
Whatever happened, happened for the good, whatever is happening, is happening for the good, whatever will happen, will happen for the good. - The Gita
Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you discover money cannot be eaten. - Cree Indian Prophecy
Don't just do something, sit there. - Anonymous
- Mahatma Gandhi
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. - Mahatma Gandhi
Less is More. - Mies van der Rohe
I’d Rather Be Birding - June Osborne
I'm convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance. - Steve Jobs
The only person you are truly competing against, is yourself. - Captain Jean-Luc Pickard (Star Trek TNG)
There are many parts of my youth that I am not proud of. There were loose threads, untidy parts of me that I would like to remove, but when I pulled on one of those threads, it had unravelled the tapestry of my life. - Captain Jean-Luc Pickard (Star Trek TNG)
To lose something, one must first possess it. - Lt. Worf (Star Trek TNG)
The moment of victory is much too short to live for that and nothing else. - Martina Navratilova
I don't know anything about anything. - Idunnowho
As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world - that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves. - Mahatma Gandhi
I am prepared to die, but there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill. - Mahatma Gandhi
Sometimes, when you no longer see yourself as the hero of your own drama, expecting victory after victory, and you understand deeply that this is not paradise... the privileged ones that we are, somehow embrace the notion that this veil of tears is perfectable, that you're going to get it all straight. I found that things became a lot easier when I no longer expected to win. I put this into a song called 'A Thousand Kisses Deep' wherein you abandon your masterpiece and you sink into the real masterpiece. - Leonard Cohen
If it be your will, that I speak no more, and my voice be still, as it was before. I will speak no more, I shall abide until, I am spoken for, if it be your will. - Leonard Cohen
I am not a very nostalgic person. I neither summon up regrets, nor have occasions for self congratulations. It just isn't a mechanism that operates very strongly in me. - Leonard Cohen
If you build it, they will come. - Field of Dreams
Whatever happened, happened for the good, whatever is happening, is happening for the good, whatever will happen, will happen for the good. - The Gita
Only when the last tree has been cut down,
Only when the last river has been poisoned,
Only when the last fish has been caught,
Only then will you discover money cannot be eaten. - Cree Indian Prophecy
Don't just do something, sit there. - Anonymous
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