Leave a legacy. Or, "father children, build a house, plant a tree, write a book".
Because otherwise, why bother?
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Leave a legacy. Or, "father children, build a house, plant a tree, write a book".
Because otherwise, why bother?
I think if we strive to become better each day our lives become examples for others to follow.
That is one thing I couldn't be less sure about. ..
First of all, the definition of "better" is culturally defined. To illustrate with a caricature, in the US culture "become better" = "have more money". In Europe it would be somewhat different. In India, perhaps escaping one's social status (see the "White Tiger" movie). In ISIS: "kill more infidels" and so on.
Second, this "exemplarity" thing exposes one to being game-theoretically "dominated" by one's fellows. It's a losing strategy.
I see it differently. I believe there’s a universal layer of “better” that most humans instinctively recognize—a kind of moral or ethical baseline that transcends cultural differences. When we act against this intuitive understanding, we tend to suffer in some way, whether emotionally, mentally, or even physically, even if that suffering manifests subconsciously. The exception might be individuals with deep sociopathic tendencies or those profoundly shaped by trauma. Embracing this universal sense of “better” doesn’t inherently make us more vulnerable to being “dominated.” On the contrary, it often fosters resilience and authenticity, which can be powerful in their own right.