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jn_en_2012_03_21

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Deutsche Version | Wiki Start | Topics Collection iv

What is good? II ...

Wednesday, March 21, 2012. What is good? We ask this basic question this week and try to get an idea about it for our immediate environment as well as for our larger community.

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Conflicting Goals …

When I think about how I structure my days, the question of “what is good” gets a completely different perspective. I am working in science as well as service. In the research unit on data assimilation at the German met service we have to care for operational numerical weather forcasting, i.e. we are responsible to develop large-scale code which calculates the development of the weather several times a day - for one to several days ahead.

To deliver top forcasts, we need to use good science and put it into operation. But of course science has its own laws. There are many little communities which carry out research in particular directions, on algorithms, on measurement devices, on particular phenomena. We have a large and complex system to simulate and control. There is complex system science as another part of the game. To understand the system you need to be a good scientist yourself. But to be a good scientist you need to carry out research yourself and be part of the international community. You need to travel, meet people, network, publish, read, talk, think …

But you cannot take care of a unit locally, care for operations, provide information to various parts of the government, and at the same time be somewhere in the world to network in science. There are conflicting goals, which to some extend are part of the whole game. I would even say: it is natural to have conflicting goals, everywhere, in science, in business, even at home with your family.

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Is faith giving conflicting goals as well? …

Is faith leading us into conflicting goals as well? To some extend it is. Christian mission has the two elements of being in the middle of the world and taking part, living community, building links. At the same time, we are asked to be different, to follow Jesus, to behave like he behaves, to be a part of him. That will lead to conflicts, our environment does not follow him and then we need to make decisions which direction to take. It can easily lead to separate directions and separate roads, but that then is not following the rule of “go into the world”.

Also, we are told to do our business and earn the money for our living. But that also needs a lot of time and focus. You need to be good to succeed in business life, but to be good you need to concentrate, exercise and spend you time on your business. But you cannot spend time on church business and on your other business at the same time. You get into goal conflicts quickly, if you take things serious. Conflicting goals are a part of faith life as well!

So what is good? Different goals will tell you that different things are good. If you choose one option, you neglect the other and that will not be as good as it could be. But perhaps it is good not to be so good, but to do two things with half of your ressources each?! Tough choices have to be made! (Roland Potthast) ... more texts

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