China: Good vs. Good for something

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There is a quote that goes something like:
"It is not merely enough to be good, you must be good for something."

Today the focus of too many is upon the former and too often the latter part is forgotten. Specifically I want to refer to the Chinese. (not being racist as I am one myself) Living in Australia the Chinese kids are the ones that excel at Maths, science, economics even english. Even in the US Asian kids are stereotyped as nerdy and smart. The Chinese are an intelligent people, in the past ten years the economy has soared and the major cities esp Shanghai are modern to the point of being 'futuristic'.
But the Chinese are focused only on being good, not being good for something. Recently they have excelled the US on carbon emission, refusing to cut back for fear of economic disorder. China makes alliances with countries that abuse human rights (in Africa) whilst itself abusing human rights restricting freedom of speech. The corruption that's rampant, from kidnapped slaves to poisoned baby milk powder.

China makes no significant stand on any environmental or human rights issue in the world. 'It is not enough to me merely good, you must be good for something'; I should (like so many of my fellow Chinese) feel pride about China's prominent position today on the world's stage, but because of China's utter failure to be 'good for something' I can not.

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Di Wu,

Given the mentality of the govenment,as expressed in the treatment of its own people and its past international dealings,do you expect that China will use its ablity to pollute as a form of international blackmail in the future.I quite appreciate your distinction between being good and being good for something,but being good is a relative term is it not.

Forgive me for posting this in reponse to this and your other posting on good vs good for something,the question does seem relevant for both cases:eek:

Di Wu, Smile

Good is a relative term.Considerning China's government's mentality as expressed in the treatment of its own people and its international tactics.Do you think China will use its ability to pollute to blackmail the international community in the future.

This is a double post,as I posted this also in response to intelligence vs morality,it seems most relevant to both of your posting, though pehaps one response would be adaquate.

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@Di Wu,

I must admit that I have not kept up with the Orient's politics for quite some time now, but it's interesting that you would point it out in light of the events that America has taken part in during the past five years.

I think it's suffice to say that China has developed quite well in terms of technology and economy, as well as environmental concerns in the past ten years.
But it's also interesting that, setting aside their advancements they are still trading and supplying, as well as making alliances with some countries that they should avoid instead.

It's not just China that has done this, though.
Over the years, many countries have done exactly the same thing, and later regretted it.
It's ironic to see that the country that is stereotyped for being the ones with foresight are the ones who don't have any hindsight.

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@Di Wu,

boagie wrote:

Di Wu,

Good is a relative term.

Hey Boagie. hmm...so what are you saying exactly? Okay, take for example: Two men each donate money to charity. One donates $10 and the other $1000. Are you saying that their respective 'levels of goodness' are 'in ratio' to these figures? Or do you mean that what is Good is defined by what is Bad at the time?

Personally I do not think Good is a relative term --at least I sincerely hope it is not. If Good is relative it means that it is shifty, it is subject to exterior elements. If Good is shifty then how can Morality --that which finds its firm footing upon Good -- ever feel itself to be secure, safe and constant?

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@Di Wu,

Di Wu,

I think it is obvious that good is a subjective judgement.My real concern was do you think China with its new found ability to out pollute all other nations,will use this power to blackmail the international community.Di Wu are you mirroring me,I see you have a double post as well,perhaps they had not fixed whatever by the time you responded----------or are you getting creative in your communication skills-------just kidding!!!

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@boagie,

"Right" and "left" are relative terms. Whether the table is to your right or your left is relative to the direction you are facing. "Tall" and "short" are relative terms. Whether a person is tall or short is relative to the height of all those
in his group (A tall pygmy would be a short person in Sweden). So, when we talk of a term being "relative" we should be able to say what it is relative to. Now, if the term "good" is relative, what is it relative to?

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@Di Wu,

Good is a relative term...
Yes, it is.
However, it has little to do with the facts at hand.

China has done what it has done, but is it in the best interests of it's people? Or it's gov't?
For good or bad; how have these events affected the people of China, and their lives?

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@Di Wu,

Generally, the day to day lives of the Chinese people has certainly improved, especially over the past ten years. As the communist government has opened up the nation to foreign investment, the US and other nations have poured billions of dollars into the Chinese economy every year. Chinese policy has benefited both the government and the people.

As long as the US and other nations continue to increase their debt to China, China will continue to increase in power.

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@Di Wu,

Why is it that all of a sudden toys made in china are a hot topic in the news? Haven't they been made there the same way for decades? If so, why only now is the news depicting them as dangerous? It's scary when governmental propaganda becomes so clear. Our government wants us to dislike China.

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China: Good vs. Good for something

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