agapism, what is this all about?

Lawrence says: Agapism professes that love (or "agape") should be the sole ultimate value and that all other values are derived from it, or that the sole moral imperative is to love.

Theological agapism holds that our love of God is expressed by loving our fellow man. As the ethics of love, agapism indicates that we should do the most loving thing in each situation, letting love determine our obligation rather than rules. Alternatively, given a set of rules, agapism indicates to follow those rules which produce the most love.

The American philosopher Charles Sanders Peirce used the word "agapism" for the view that creative love is operative in the cosmos. Drawing from the Swedenborgian ideas of Henry James, Sr., Peirce held that it involves a love which expresses itself in a devotion to cherishing and tending to people or things other than oneself, as parent may do for offspring, and as God, as Love, does even and especially for the unloving, whereby the loved ones may learn.

Peirce regarded this process as a mode of evolution of the cosmos and its parts, and he called it "agapasm", wherein: "The good result is here brought to pass, first, by the bestowal of spontaneous energy by the parent upon the offspring, and, second, by the disposition of the latter to catch the general idea of those about it and thus to subserve the general purpose." Peirce held that there are three such principles and three associated modes of evolution:

"Three modes of evolution have thus been brought before us: evolution by fortuitous variation, evolution by mechanical necessity, and evolution by creative love. We may term them tychastic evolution, or tychasm, anancastic evolution, or anancasm, and agapastic evolution, or agapasm.

The doctrines which represent these as severally of principal importance we may term tychasticism, anancasticism, and agapasticism. On the other hand the mere propositions that absolute chance, mechanical necessity, and the law of love are severally operative in the cosmos may receive the names of tychism, anancism, and agapism." — C. S. Peirce, 1893

Being close brings comfort

Ellen Says: Sometimes it is hard to visit a family member, friend, or acquaintance who is suffering from illness or an accident. Although intentions are genuine, one just doesn't know what is appropriate and what will bring the most comfort. Often that depends on the seriousness of the illness, but there are a few things that should always help out.

Don't force the conversation. Someone who is trying to recover may have all of their energy going to do just that. Having another person sitting close by may be enough to comfort the patient. Don't let the sick person feel that they need to be entertaining. If you notice that your friend is growing weary, say good-bye before they are exhausted.

Touch is also comforting to someone who is suffering. Even if the person you are visiting is unconscious or seemingly unaware, touch can assure the patient that they are accepted and not unattractive. A simple hug, handshake, or a touch on the arm can work wonders.

Music can be comforting to someone who is ill. When you go to visit bring along several CDs that can be played. You may need to transport a CD player as well. Try to remember the person's favorite types of music, and refrain from playing anything that will causes anxiousness. Quiet soothing music is always a good choice.

we are one in saying

Ellen Says: I am positive in saying that the best way to maintain a sound family cohesiveness and avoid friction between family members, is to attain a healthy attitude and outlook towards achieving a health regimen for the family.

Gbex says: Well, I am with you Ellen with what you said about that. We are individuals who need constant attention as far as reaching out to each other in attaining the best health for everyone in the family. One member who gets sick makes everybody worry and experience anxiety. So, the health of one is the joy and happiness f everyone in the family.

Lawrence says: You were absolutely right there my friends Ellen and Gbex! Going to the hospital for a member who's confined for whatever sickness or ailment is everybody's concern in the family.

When my mom was confined from a messed surgery that took place sometime in January, everybody in my family took turns in making visits, and watched her on her trying moments.

Indeed we are all one in saying that the health of every member of the family is the utmost and number one concern of everyone in the family!