We have no resonsibility for the past?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of responsibility for the past, particularly in relation to individuals and society. Participants explore the implications of this idea in various contexts, including personal accountability, historical injustices, and environmental concerns. The conversation touches on philosophical aspects and interpretations, as well as potential connections to quantum mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that individuals are not responsible for their own past but may bear responsibility for the past actions of others, especially as time distances them from those events.
  • One participant questions the relevance of the term "responsibility" and suggests the topic may be better suited for a philosophy forum rather than a physics context.
  • Another participant proposes that the discussion may relate to quantum mechanics, indicating a possible interpretation of responsibility in that framework.
  • A later reply challenges the initial statements by asking for clarification on what is meant by "responsibility for the past," particularly in relation to historical events like slavery and land dispossession.
  • Responses indicate a misunderstanding of the original intent, with one participant clarifying that they were referring to modern humans' responsibility for environmental degradation rather than historical injustices.
  • One participant expresses agreement with the environmental perspective, emphasizing the need for greater respect and responsibility towards ecosystems.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of responsibility for the past, with some focusing on historical injustices and others emphasizing environmental concerns. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on the implications of responsibility across different contexts.

Contextual Notes

Participants exhibit varying interpretations of the term "responsibility," and there is ambiguity regarding the scope of the discussion, particularly in relation to historical events versus environmental issues. The conversation also reflects a mix of philosophical and scientific perspectives.

garytse86
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We have no resonsibility for the past? What do you think about this topic?
 
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Not for your own past (to an extent, since we're not
single particles) but certainly we are responsible for
the past of others and more and more of it(in terms of time)
the farther they are from us.

Live long and prosper.
 
Last edited:
Well, first, I don't know what "resonsibility" is!

Assuming you meant "responsibility", wouldn't this be better under "General Discussion" or "Philosophy" than "General Physics"?
 
I think s/he's talking about "being responsible" for
the past in QM terms. :wink:
 


Originally posted by drag
Not for your own past (to an extent, since we're not
single particles) but certainly we are responsible for
the past of others and more and more of it(in terms of time)
the farther they are from us.

Live long and prosper.
By this statement, do you mean Americans today are responsible for historically enslaving blacks or taking away the land of Native Americans and forcing them to live on reservations?
 


Originally posted by Tsunami
By this statement, do you mean Americans today are responsible for historically enslaving blacks or taking away the land of Native Americans and forcing them to live on reservations?

Woah- huge leap there

by past do you mean everything back to the beginning of time as we know it?
 


Originally posted by Zantra
Woah- huge leap there

by past do you mean everything back to the beginning of time as we know it?
Huge leap where? I guess I thought that, since this is GD forum, we wouldn't be talking about particles or QM, as previously stated. I was just wondering what drag meant by responsiblities of the "past of others and more and more of it(in terms of time)
the farther they are from us." Those were just examples I used to try to clarify the question.
But, I suppose I should be asking "HEY! garytse86! What the hell do you mean 'responsibilities for the past?"
 
Last edited:
Greetings !
Originally posted by Tsunami
Huge leap where? I guess I thought that, since this is GD forum, we wouldn't be talking about particles or QM, as previously stated. I was just wondering what drag meant by responsiblities of the "past of others and more and more of it(in terms of time)
the farther they are from us." Those were just examples I used to try to clarify the question.
But, I suppose I should be asking "HEY! garytse86! What the hell do you mean 'responsibilities of the past?"
What drag meant is to respond to a thread posted in
the general physics forum, but someone's been "overmentoring"
and this is the result. :wink:
Originally posted by Tsunami
By this statement, do you mean Americans today are responsible for historically enslaving blacks or taking away the land of Native Americans and forcing them to live on reservations?
Nope, I meant that modern humans are responsible for destroying
wild life and terminating many spieces of plants and animals
thus presenting no responsibility and respect for the life on
their planet and their own sources.

Live long and prosper.
 
Originally posted by drag
Greetings !

What drag meant is to respond to a thread posted in
the general physics forum, but someone's been "overmentoring"
and this is the result. :wink:

Nope, I meant that modern humans are responsible for destroying
wild life and terminating many spieces of plants and animals
thus presenting no responsibility and respect for the life on
their planet and their own sources.

Live long and prosper.
Ah. Well, that makes a HECK of a lot more sense! And I agree wholeheartedly. We must have more respect and take more responsibility to protect our fragile ecosystems. But I fear it may just be too late.
 

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