Home @ Miliux

It’s been over a month since first setting back in Sydney. So naturally, i feel compelled to write this journal what i dearly miss about my experience abroad to that fascinating and philosophically challenging city.

Utilitarianism
By definition, utilitarianism means functionality over extravagance or design. All things must serve a rational purpose or else it would be deemed irrational and extravagant. Some may say it’s just very conservative economic rationalism and this mentality of ‘why fix if it ain’t broke’. I view it as post-modern perspective considering that Amsterdam does not feel threatened by not keeping up with other societies. Modernity can be perceived as over-hyped and unnecessary for function of society. Thus, bikes, drawbridges, clocktowers and canals are still in use. It may feel nostalgic to old times but in my view, it is just customary make things simple as it is.

Furthermore, speaking on the notion of function, utilitarianism also views that everyone has a function in society. No matter if you’re a carpenter or doctor or lawyer, each and everyone has function in the general fabric of society, since we all serve some purpose in duty and capitalisation. Thus, everyone should be treated as equal. What’s the point of having everyone as doctors or lawyers when there are no ganiters to mop the floors or construction workers to build hospitals? I guess, through this lens it gives a magnificent clarity why there’s such tolerance in prostitutes and not allowing the state to dictate individual concerns. This includes euthanasia, homosexual recognition, no age in alcohol consumption, stem cell research or any other issues that are considered ethically controversial. Empowering individuals as a node of functionalism ensures liberty that we, through our own rationality can base our own judgement without hindrance.

There is a natural tendency for a sense of order. Although the state itself doesn’t show such authoritarian statehood to bind the living within its realms together, nationhood still remains as a profound movement to serve that order. Simply, the collectives of the people through their own participation and motive of collaborating with its distinguished interest serves greater order than any authority put down by the state. For instance, the urban planning in Amsterdam has been basically built in the Golden Age where it considered at the time that all decision-making will have lasting legacy for future generations. Many may consider this as a conscious deliberative system. Canals were built and so were the outer ring of park which originally served as a defence system from outside invasion. When viewed from above, the historical centre of Amsterdam is shaped as a half spider web, where it psychologically would gravitate to the centre in terms of trade and expression on information.

To be continued…