It Just Isn't Fair!!!

[Pike Bishop]

We've all heard this one about a zillion times:

"I am suffering because of something and I don't deserve it! It isn't fair!!!"

"Yeah? well, life isn't fair, so you'd better get used to it!"

Well, if you're walking through the woods and you wind up on the wrong side of a bear and it kills you, okay, I understand. If you're walking down the street and you're struck by lightning from a clear blue sky, okay. If there's an earthquake... you get my drift.

In any case I've heard this argument used to tell people to "stop whining" when they've been the victim of unjust policies, poorly thought out rules, or just the mistreatment they've received at the hands of a very powerful, very inconsiderate, highly immoral individual or corporate entity. So here's the question: if a system of rules exists and was devised by humans, didn't the people who created those rules bear a responsibility to create a system that would ensure the fair treatment of everyone who would be affected by that system? If such a system of rules is subject to continuous revision, then isn't a similar responsibility borne by the individuals who have control over such a process? Bears, lightning, and earthquakes are not simultaneously conscious and capable of understanding the moral implications of their actions. How can acts of nature be used to explain away the mistreatment of one person by another (or several others)?

Is there a giant gaping hole in this argument or am I missing something? What do you think?

[freegood]

So here's the question: if a system of rules exists and was devised by humans, didn't the people who created those rules bear a responsibility to create a system that would ensure the fair treatment of everyone who would be affected by that system? If such a system of rules is subject to continuous revision, then isn't a similar responsibility borne by the individuals who have control over such a process?

You're assuming a lot....

That people who created those rules are still alive
That they have control over the system should they still be alive
That they're responsible for those "revisions"
That they know what's best for who/what/where/when
That they serve the general interest for every individual
That they share the same sense of duty and responsibility as you
That those under these fatherly figures will implicitly follow their command or vision
That those under these figures understand their commands or vision

Maybe the system wasn't devised by humans. Maybe it was God or Cthulu. What's the question again?

[Genius]

There has never been a system of rules put in place by man that had pure, altruistic love for all behind it. Part of every system of government, code of law, or civil structure is intended to assist those in power with staying in power. Some may make their desire to retain power naked to the world, while others may claim that "stability" is necessary to tame the masses, but all systems of government and law share this characteristic to some degree. So while it's nice to think that the creators of these systems have some higher responsibility, how do we go about enforcing it?

[Sir Droopy]

Those with fortitude suck it up, deal with the situation & move forward, never glancing back. Others whine & cry to death and that seperates the leaders from the followers which is all that you basically have in life.

[Archangel]

You're a nation of whiners.

[Spanky]

You're a nation of whiners.
I know, it's like, you don't whine at all.

[Archangel]

Hey, I was just quoting.

[Spanky]

Yeah, me too

[Archetype]

Those with fortitude suck it up, deal with the situation & move forward, never glancing back.

I believe we call these people idiots, actually.

[NotAllBlack]

We've all heard this one about a zillion times:

"I am suffering because of something and I don't deserve it! It isn't fair!!!"

"Yeah? well, life isn't fair, so you'd better get used to it!"

Well, if you're walking through the woods and you wind up on the wrong side of a bear and it kills you, okay, I understand. If you're walking down the street and you're struck by lightning from a clear blue sky, okay. If there's an earthquake... you get my drift.

In any case I've heard this argument used to tell people to "stop whining" when they've been the victim of unjust policies, poorly thought out rules, or just the mistreatment they've received at the hands of a very powerful, very inconsiderate, highly immoral individual or corporate entity. So here's the question: if a system of rules exists and was devised by humans, didn't the people who created those rules bear a responsibility to create a system that would ensure the fair treatment of everyone who would be affected by that system? If such a system of rules is subject to continuous revision, then isn't a similar responsibility borne by the individuals who have control over such a process? Bears, lightning, and earthquakes are not simultaneously conscious and capable of understanding the moral implications of their actions. How can acts of nature be used to explain away the mistreatment of one person by another (or several others)?

Is there a giant gaping hole in this argument or am I missing something? What do you think?


Reading this horseshit wasnt fair.

Go read 120 days of sodom by "Marquis de Sade" and quit whining

[Crack]

I'm not a whiner, I'm a stoner!

Life ain't fair, so puff and try to figure it out or puff and shut the fuck up.

[kijo52]

No, life isn't fair. There are people out there trying to better the system, but they are only human. There will never be a set of perfect laws, because that would mean that everyone would have to agree on them, and that most certainly will never happen. Someone will always feel they drew the short stick. Most laws are created to appease the majority, and even then, what some people might see as justice for someone else, doesn't mean they think the same should apply to them.

[halfabubbleoff]

The "life isn't fair" retort is not an answer to a wrong done to a person, or a deep statement regarding rules set by man or nature. It is a broad statement reminding people that they should not worry about things that are beyond their control, no matter how fair they are.

May of the issues you brought up, victims of badly written laws/rules, those harmed by corporate entities, etc.. are either subjective or dictated by circumstance. The Unfair Law could help the vast majority of people and only harm a small minority. That does not make it "fair", but it does require some perspective. Should an "unfair" law be removed if it harms one person and saves thousands?

By telling the victim that "life isn't fair" (meaning that the natural world isn't fair), you are reminding them that not everything in the world is centered around them, and that some things are beyond their control. It is an ineffective way of expressing sympathy for someone's plight, while stating that you do not feel it necessary, or helpful, to fight against the source of their suffering.

You have to keep in mind, that the statement is most often reserved for times when the victim is unable to fight against the offending party, or fighting would result in more harm than good in the end. The victim is not targeted as an individual, but in an impersonal manner. For those cases when there is malice directed at an individual directly, there are legal options available to correct the problem.

For example: A company puts a new power plant at the closest border to a residential area as possible using some legal loopholes. After many years, it is run down and an eyesore.
A couple who moved into the area with a beautiful view, now must move. However, the plant is now blocking that view, and its proximity has lowered property values for the homes in that neighborhood.
Sure, the company that built the plant, did not have to put it there, and only did it to save money in construction, environmental, and zoning costs. This couple is now in the position to lose money on their home because of this company's actions.
Is that fair? Not at all. Is this something the couple could fight and win? Not likely. The plant was built legally, and is maintained to the letter of the law.
What does this unfortunate couple hear when they complain about their loss? "Life isn't fair. You have to get over it and move on."


Yes, bad example, but it is as good as I could do at work. It still gives you an idea of what I am talking about.

[Jason]

I'd rather listen to people complain about things that are out of their control then listen to them complain about things they can change. I mean obviously complaining gets you no where, but I'll have sympathy for someone who gets struck by lightning rather than someone who is constantly complaining about their job, boss, etc.

[lce-man]

I'm right there with you Jason. And complaining can be nice to vent, otherwise there would be so many people complaining all the time for no reason.

[Pike Bishop]

My personal position on the question (as if you couldn't have figured it out) is that the retort of "well, life isn't fair!" is used far too frequently as a cop-out by people who actually do have the ability to change things. I think that people like to say that when they personally benefit from whatever unfairness inherent to a particular system of rules is beneficial for them, but they don't want to admit that they are acting out of self-interest. When I hear that I usually think that if the person saying it had any balls whatsoever, they'd just say "Hey, I make the rules, I like things the way they are, go fuck yourself." The problem for me isn't the abuse of power so much as the dishonesty.

What I was really interested to see was if anyone could come up with some way to make such an argument seem applicable to systems administered by beings capable of making moral decisions.

[DeMartini Sands]

Where do we come up with this shit?, "Life isn't Fair"---- Go Fuck Yourself!!!!!!!
What is fair?, fair is the opportunity you get in life to create an existence for yourself so as you don't need to ponder what is fair........

[Archetype]

Where do we come up with this shit?, "Life isn't Fair"---- Go Fuck Yourself!!!!!!!
What is fair?, fair is the opportunity you get in life to create an existence for yourself so as you don't need to ponder what is fair........
Be quiet, child.

[DeMartini Sands]

awww did hit hit a nerve, so sorry here let me give you a hug, tell ya what you can ponder life's cruel unfairness all you want i'll walk away.

[allyourbase]

Yeah, sometimes you just gotta take the beating, whether you earned it or not.

[Tenpinger]

I concur

[Morfin]

I concur

I thought my days of torture were over. Waiting, wondering, unable to eat or sleep all because I did not know how Tenpinger felt on this question and why. Talk about being brought to the brink of ecstasy and then all hopes dashed.

Yes, I finally know what Tenpinger's decision is. But... But... no illumination of his thought process.

Back to my waiting, my torture.

[Tenpinger]

QQ

[Morfin]

Thanks for the illumination. I feel much better now.

I thank God that you have joined us here and taught us the way.

[Blue]

QQ

[Archetype]

What's wrong with that chick's nipples?

[mbslugger89]

where do nipples come into play?

[Pike Bishop]

where do nipples come into play?

That's a fantastic question. In fact, I'm starting to think that I should have just started the thread with that one.

[Titus_Pullo]

Oh Biggs is right. I'm never gonna get out of here!