Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Post Responce #1
The term best should be defined through the final product; something is best because it is the fastest, lightest, or most comfortable. The best is based on quality, and the tangible characteristics of a product or event, not what happened in the making of those things. Many people would tell you that the iPhone has the best feautures--it's the quickest, the lightest, has the best apps, even if that isn't the phone they would buy themselves. Many people will say that Beethoven is very good music--even if they would never listen to it. Value is not tied to what is the best. I can say that Hitler had the best military strategy, but it doesn't mean I value him at all. What we value is the balance between what is the best and what has certain characteristics we hold important--like eco friendly and made by well-treated workers. We value the best products that comply with those important characteristics.
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I agree. The definition of "best" doesn't say anything about popularity. We can say that something is the best, but value something else more because it has other characteristics that have to do with morals or humane standards and therefore buy that product instead of the "best" one.
ReplyDeleteSarah, You claim "What we value is a balance between what is the best and what has certain characteristics we hold important--like eco friendly..." This is a false dichotomy, since you haven't explained why "best" and "characteristics we hold important" are two separate things. Aren't fun apps. and speed characteristics that iPhone buyers hold important? Don't these things make it the best for some?
ReplyDeleteI'm confused by the evidence you present to suport the idea "value is not tied to what is best." If you say Hitler's military strategy was the best, then you are saying there is an aspect of Hitler--his military savviness--you value. To label something best, to pick it out from the crowd and say "This thing is excellent," is to judge it has worth. Or, is your position that excellent things don't have worth?
Your idea that although Hitler had the "best" military strategy, but is not worthy of your value, in a way makes sense. I think the problem is the misuse of the word "best." Perhaps Hitler's military strategy can be described as efficient, clever, or all-consuming. But that doesn't necessarily make it the best- for example, I value peace and righteousness. Therefore, the best strategy in my mind would be one of smart resistance. To truly describe Hitler's strategy as the best in the very general category of military strategies is like saying I value genocide.
ReplyDeleteI strongly agree and think that you had very valid points. People are focused on the aesthetics of a product, not the making of it. I think your reference to Beethoven was valid because he is one of the most famous composers ever yet people could argue wether or not he was truly the "best." I also understand your point about Hitler. Yes, he was successful but that does not mean in any way that he was the best. What he did was wrong, just like some of the making of some products could be to the environment and people. But, who, in everyday life, is going to take the time and look into wether a product is "bad" for them and the negatives, when they are focused on getting the best?
ReplyDeleteI agree that “best” should be determined through the final product because when people determine best they want to know if it’s the lightest, fastest, sleekness etc. I also agree that when we decide that something is best it doesn’t necessarily mean that the person would buy the product they just think that it is the best product of its category. For example I think that the Iphone is the best phone on the market but it doesn’t mean that would buy it I’d prefer to have another phone.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you up to a certain point. While we are concerned with what makes up a product we have to consider the implications of that product. To use your example of Hitler, while his plan was effective it also killed a large number of people. We have to look at the larger world around us on some things. It has been overlooked in the 'quest for the best' but in the long-term it would be wise to start.
ReplyDeleteYou stated that the best is that porduct of the "highest" quality. however I disagree that it has to be the fastest, quickest, sleekest, etc. To the contrary it may be the slowest because the invidual may not want speed and that doesnt play a factor when choosing the best. It may be an optimal combination of factors. for example To somebody in a wheel chair the comfort of the chair may only one factor the ease of mechanical movement may be another. so you may not want the most comfortable but one that is comfortble enough and manuevers well enough that would ultimatly be the best.
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