Yes, exactly. To me, these things (caring, hope, faith) are shallow if they are just feelings. The feelings we associate with them can impel us to action if we so choose, but otherwise, they remain unfulfilled. Furthermore, the heights of these aspects of love are not reached until one lives them without even the benefit of the feeling.
Why do feelings impel us to action? Because of cognitive dissonance: what we think our values are (or what we want them to be) and what we do differ, and the internal conflict this sets up applies pressure for change. I would much prefer that we change our lives to live up to our ideals than lower our ideals to the standard of our lives.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2008-06-14 03:45 pm (UTC)Yes, exactly. To me, these things (caring, hope, faith) are shallow if they are just feelings. The feelings we associate with them can impel us to action if we so choose, but otherwise, they remain unfulfilled. Furthermore, the heights of these aspects of love are not reached until one lives them without even the benefit of the feeling.
Why do feelings impel us to action? Because of cognitive dissonance: what we think our values are (or what we want them to be) and what we do differ, and the internal conflict this sets up applies pressure for change. I would much prefer that we change our lives to live up to our ideals than lower our ideals to the standard of our lives.