The Ethics of Zarathushtra: The torture example!

Who said RESULTS are all we are after? I have said all along that EFFECTS is what we are after. Effects is a very different thing from results. Effects also includes WHO YOU BECOME TO YOURSELF by doing what you do. Zarathushtra's ethical triad of constructive thoughts, constructive words, constructive acts is CIRCULAR. The acts also affect the thoughts! Ushta Alexander 2012/8/4 Parviz Varjavand Is Zoroastrianism an ancient form of Machiavellianism? Ahriman is very intelligent and often can teach us tricks with which we can achieve fantastic results. If results is all we are after, then why call Ahriman names? --- On Fri, 8/3/12, Parviz Varjavand wrote: From: Parviz Varjavand Subject: Re: [Ushta] Asha and Ashavands To: Ushta@yahoogroups.com Date: Friday, August 3, 2012, 11:20 PM Torturing is a fantastic tool for cutting down crime rates, so torture becomes Asha, and the more devious ways to administer torture becomes Asha-Vahishta? People like me should come out of the woods and smell the roses. Parviz --- On Thu, 8/2/12, Special Kain wrote: From: Special Kain Subject: Re: [Ushta] Asha and Ashavands To: "Ushta@yahoogroups.com" Date: Thursday, August 2, 2012, 8:37 AM Of course! Von: Parviz Varjavand An: Ushta@yahoogroups.com Gesendet: 16:57 Donnerstag, 2.August 2012 Betreff: Re: [Ushta] Asha and Ashavands Hi Dino, Will water boarding at Guantanamo Prison qualify as Asha? It works and gets results! Parviz --- On Thu, 8/2/12, Special Kain wrote: From: Special Kain Subject: [Ushta] Asha and Ashavands To: "Ushta@yahoogroups.com" Date: Thursday, August 2, 2012, 2:41 AM Dear friends, There are scholars who see Asha as righteousness, truthfulness, the cosmic order (= Logos), natural laws (physics, chemistry) and/or the truth. I see Asha simply as that which works best in any given situation. Thus Ashavands (as those who actively promote what is right) choose to do the right thing at the right time in order to contribute constructively and intelligently to civilization: education, gender equality, religious tolerance, ecological sustainability, ... As the enivornment in which we speak and act changes, Asha as "that which works best" will change with it. Asha unites Ahura with Mazda as their common denominator, as both Ahura and Mazda operate according to Asha. Therefore Zarathushtra's doctrine of Asha is monistic: there is only one Asha. Ashavands take Ahura (= existence, the world as it is) as their starting point in order to contribute to Mazda's growth here on Earth. Asha is long-term thinking based on one's constructive mentality, whereas Druj is one's willingness to cause damage, which will of course harm the short-sighted ones who willingly cause damage. But since their will to hurt others is so great, they will gladly hurt themselves if only the others will be hurt, too. Ushta, Dino