Posted by john on October 01, 2002 at 06:32:23:
In Reply to: Help My Arse Is A Blaze posted by Xavier on September 30, 2002 at 22:52:48:
This could be a totally loaded statement. It would greatly depend on the context. If the speaker meant that adaptation, i.e. survival, is the measure of success this is true, but only if one maintains a true understanding of adaptation. For example, is Steven Hawking successful? He is brilliant, but can't surive without the assistance of others and of machines. So does that count as adaptation? What about someone who is terminally ill, but eeks out a life devoted to God and to peace?
Under these circumstanes, and taken out of context, I think it would be better to reword the statement to be more inclusive. Perhaps something like, "Money is not the measure of success, but the ability to exist meaningfully."
Ultimately success is such a subjective term that it really doesn't matter how you define it so long as those you are speaking to understand your definition. This is one of those words that means something only by common consent and does not point to any universal. (examples of universal words: love, peace, truth) (Examples of particular words: John, cup) It's debatable, but i think success could fall into that category.
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: I just saw this on a message board and was wondering what you think about it, would you give me your thoughts...
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: Success can not be measured by money,
: but by ones ability to adapt to their environment.