Value System

I talked about this with a friend here in US.... the discussion was concluded by agreeing that we should talk more about this......it might be tied to a few points listed in "points to ponder"......so the basic question was: do Indians (well at that time it was more directed towards the two of us) have any kind of values or do we just believe in existing/surviving and hence act only because of self interest. We were also comparing ourselves to the americans and my friend S gave example of the debate for presidential candidate, wherein two people put forward their views and its almost like black and white (although they are politicians) and the people decide on whom to choose......

i don't think i have explained the problem well...... will come again later ..... and at the same time need to answer whether it is always possible to remain in either black or white, or is there a gray area? although right now it appears that cannot do without the gray area, it seems conflicting with the value system theory (although i have not put forward any sort of theory) .......

And again the usual dilemma of someone's white area becoming other's black... what good would the principles/value system do then... e.g. bin laden's idea of jihad and his actions based on his principles have created a quite a bit of problem for others... I guess dilemma like this sometimes makes me appreciate the 'chalta hai' attitude of the desis. Recently watched a CNN documentary on 'God's Warriors' which highlights the strong value system of a group of people (jews, christians and muslims) and their actions based on the principles.

It appears that this is going to be one big messy post, since i am trying to write about various other connections.