Opinion & Analysis

Ideals between Philosophy and Reality

Ancient Greek philosophers had an insight into the human psyche, and despite the notion that democracy is a type of justice, democracy is unjust to everyone.

That is because it is nice to imagine the equality in capacity, thoughts and behaviors and actions between everyone, but in fact we differ from one another. There is the ignorant, the learner, the wise, the insane, the rich, the poor, the strong and the weak. Therefore, perfect ideals are a kind of intellectual and imaginary luxury that is suitable to fictional works in novels or essays, but contrary to human nature in reality. Some out there have a culture, but no ethics except the ones they imagine and purport but practice never. Those always fail reality checks.  What they say, they know not. They do not. There are also the simple minded or those who were fed ideals from an early age, with good intentions aimed at societal balance to prevent chaos in human society; so as human values ​​and compassion between individuals do not become lost and so that overwhelming self-interest; the desire to monopolize the advantages of life such as work, position, wealth; and the spread of objectionable and hateful behaviors and injustices do not dominate.Therefore modern societies must take into account this idea and manage it according to the culture; political systems; religions; the desire to present the appropriate ideals which should be enshrined by justice; community organizing and distribution of rights and duties. People still disagree on what is appropriate for them and their formal systems, according to their whims and ideals and the desires they long for subconsciously, which are often unrealistic as a result of misconceptions in education, upbringing, intellect and comprehension.

Hence, the balance is to understand reality and that people are not equal in intellectual abilities and talents and potential and that everyone must be put in their right position. If there is imbalance in this matter, which of course is an anomaly of social life, the community spontaneously rejects it because it is contradictory to reason and undertanding of reality. In case it is not cured, it poisons healthy organs, and leads to death, much like a disease.

Balance is required, neither in excess nor negligence. Prevention is better than cure, and working to understand what is applicable or not is better than suffering to apply ideals that find their place in novels and stories we tell children, especially if your own children listen to someone else other than you.

Dr. Salem Alketbi

Dr. Salem Alketbi is an Emirati political analyst and researcher whose work explains the forces reshaping the Middle East. He holds a PhD in Public Law and Political Science, awarded with highest distinction and a recommendation for publication, from Hassan II University in Casablanca. His thesis examined political and religious propaganda on Arab social media. His columns, published in Arab and international outlets, focus on Gulf security, Iran, countering extremism, and the UAE’s vision of a stable, prosperous region built on cooperation.

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