Why I Discriminate
Developing discrimination is key to a happy life...
He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas
– Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard’s Almanack
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
– 1 Corinthians 5:11 KJV
Do you discriminate? I do, and so should you. While one definition of discrimination is to make unjust distinctions between people, such as discriminating against women (though these days, What is a Woman?), another is to recognize a distinction between people or groups and make judgments between them. It is this definition I am referring to when I say we should all discriminate.
Why, you may ask? Shouldn’t we all love one another and be allowed the freedom to do whatever we want? The hypocrisy of those who make this argument is obvious to anyone who is aware of what is happening in the world: We should all be free to say or do whatever we want, except when others criticize our behavior or choices, in which case they should not be allowed to speak or express such opinions, and must be suppressed, violently if needed, from doing so.
Who you are is shaped by who you associate with, either in the physical or virtual world of social media and online interactions. Those around you shape your moral judgments of what is right and wrong. By associating with those who make bad choices in terms of the harm they cause themselves or others, you, too, are likely to make the same choices and suffer the same consequences.
Likewise, by associating with those who exhibit virtuous behaviors of prudence, wisdom, temperance, and courage, you are likely to have your moral judgments and behaviors shaped by the choices you see these people making and will be more likely to make virtuous decisions in your own life as well.