Retarded: Philosophy Forums

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Retarded

writerofshadows
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Posted 03/23/09 - 09:58 PM: Subject: Retarded?	#1
The word retarded comes from to retard, meaning to hinder or impair. Meaning if someone is retarded, they are hindered or impaired. But such people are innocent like children. They never grow bitter, don't try to manipulate people, nor do they try to hurt people. I'm talking about the ones that are semi functional in society as opposed to the near vegetative people. They are often looked down upon and made fun of, but ,honestly, they're only goals are to be happy and be loved. And they achieve those goals far easier than any 'normal' person. So are they really second class citizens as they are treated, or are they the lucky ones?
Death is our sweet candy

Nemjit
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Posted 03/24/09 - 09:11 AM:	#2
I have thought about that same question as well. Another example would be if I look at my cat. I could say I am better because I am much smarter and more powerful but on the other hand the cat doesn't have to wory about all the things in life like work, money and relationships. I often even wished I could trade places with my cat because all he has to do is sleep and eat.

Cadrache
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Posted 03/24/09 - 09:52 AM:	#3
Achieve their goals or accept their limitations?
"...There was a writer who asked why it was that when we find positive experiences we say that only the physical facts are real, but in negative experiences we believe that reality is subjective. He made an example of those who say that in birth only the pain is real, the joy a subjective point of view, but that in death it is the emotional loss that is the reality." - Tony Ballantyne, Recursion. _____________________________________________ Truth is want. - The internal state of matters. Truth is Need. - The external state of affairs.

Mr Who
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Posted 03/24/09 - 10:54 AM:	#4
Mental impairment is so-named for a reason. I don't mean to appear bigoted, but while people who are inflicted with a mental impairment may find it easier to attain happiness via much simpler means than the rest of us, they cannot for instance participate in an abstract, absorbing discussion such as this one. I would say it's a case of swings and roundabouts.

misterberry
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Posted 03/24/09 - 11:14 AM:	#5
It's a very tough question... on one hand "retards" as I think everyone has called them at one point or another get to live a life of luxury, in that they don't need to worry about work, relationships, social aspects of life- their goal is happiness But on the other hand if it wasn't for the people who care care of them then they'd probably die from starvation. I've got no personal experience with some of the harsher disabilities, but I do have a cousin who was diagnosed at an early age with severe autism. It's true that all he wants is happiness and that he won't have to deal with the petty worries that we "physically blessed" people have to when he grows up, but the stress is displaced away from him and magnified on his parents, seeing as they've got no choice but to be his carers for the rest of their lives. I know the OP probably had wheelchair bound Stephen Hawking types in mind when writing this, but something i've always thought about Autism that I might as well mention is that while the social skills tend to be stunted in growth the people suffering with it usually focus their brain power on other skills, like mathematics, at which they excel at with more initiative than "normal" people.

Banno
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Posted 03/24/09 - 12:42 PM:	#6
What is offensive in this thread is that no attention is paid to the shear variety of disabilities; the result is that "retards" are treated as a group, rather than a grouping of individuals. Doing so pre-judges, prejudices, the discussion.
Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement. Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing... Ned: Such is life

writerofshadows
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Posted 03/24/09 - 12:52 PM:	#7
Actually I specified semi functional retarded people. I know that they're are many types. My cousin has severe cerebral palsy which is accompanied by mild retardation. their are a number of disabilities I wouldn't wish on anyone such as(but no limited to) severe, and even some mild, cases of autism where they are completely shut of. I specifically stated those that are semi functional in society. Ones that can walk, talk, and are capable of some minor independent acts such as dressing and feeding ones self. Please read the whole question. If you would like some clarification, ask for it instead of immediately assuming it is offensive.
Death is our sweet candy

wuliheron
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Posted 03/24/09 - 07:03 PM:	#8
The idea that all mentally impared people are "happy" and "easy-going" is another stereotype.

Banno
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Posted 03/24/09 - 11:09 PM:	#9
writerofshadows wrote: Actually I specified half-cast black people. I know that they're(sic) are many types. My cousin is black which is accompanied by slanting eyes. their(sic) are a number of races I wouldn't wish on anyone such as(but no limited to) severe, and even some mild, cases of mongolism where they are completely shut of(sic). I specifically stated those that are semi functional in society. Ones that can walk, talk, and are capable of some minor independent acts such as dressing and feeding ones(sic) self. Please read the whole question. If you would like some clarification, ask for it instead of immediately assuming it is offensive. It is offensive if I am offended. Doubtless the query was in good faith, but it shows a stunning lack of consideration. Edited by Banno on 03/24/09 - 11:50 PM
Davidson: We make maximum sense of the words and thoughts of others when we interpret in a way that optimizes agreement. Russel Morris: There's a meaning there, but the meaning there doesn't really mean a thing... Ned: Such is life

Exerio
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Posted 03/25/09 - 01:57 AM:	#10
wuliheron wrote: The idea that all mentally impared people are "happy" and "easy-going" is another stereotype. - The road to happiness is belief, and to spend your time with identical beings. This is a stereo-type indeed, but the less you think, the less you worry. I therefore would assume happiness to be situational and the only way of achieving complete happiness is to not think at all. Whether mentally disabled people worry more then us or not I do not know, but if they worry less then us I believe them to have a higher level of happiness then us as well.

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