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The word "Karma" is a Hindi word meaning 'Action'. No more, and no less. What you or others may attach to it doesn't matter.

lucian303 14y ago
Yes, but it's my understanding that the Hindi concept is much deeper than that. I don't presume to be an expert on this topic (Hindi karma), however. Philosophical karma is a different thing and very simple. What is attached to popular karma is an over-optimistic, unrealistic viewpoint of rewards based on action. The world doesn't work that way, but a lot of people, especially in the western world think it does and think this is a valid concept. It's not. It's a sequitur. That is all that I was stating. I do not wish to attach anything more to the concept than has already been attached.
- TheAmazingIdiot 14y ago
  I waited to respond to stay away from the people here who hate religion, as well as get sufficiently off the front page as not to derail the general antivirus discussion. Karma is simply that: action. Physical actions are just like how we accept Newton's Laws of motion as science (in Cartesian, non-relatavistic, non-high-gravity). It can be tested to a high degree of certainty, and therefore requires heavy proof to overcome. However the distinction with karma is application of Newton's laws to also human behavior. That includes equal and opposite reactions to emotions, thoughts, and efforts. Those who followed Hinduism accepted this idea as Karma. Wiccans know this as the Wiccan Rede and the threefold rule. LaVeyan Satanism's "Rules of the Earth" have some sembelance of 'do no harm to innocents'. Even Jews discuss this very topic with the positive form in Leviticus 19:18, whilst not discussing the basis for it (it's usual for Abrahamic religions to give commandments). I think every religion has developed a wording of the same principal of Karma, but with slightly different wordings due to language and culture. Most seem to get the idea of inertia. People tend to go the direction they were already headed towards, even if it is ruin. I've seen this time and again with people. It doesn't matter if you tell them: something with as much force has to get in their way. And most people get reciprocity, or "you get what you put out". Seems awfully similar to "For Every Action, there is an equal and opposite Reaction".
dbaupp 14y ago
What people attach to it does matter: having shared meanings for sequences of letters/sounds is how language works, and the sequence of letters "karma" has meaning in modern English which is different to its Hindi meaning.

lucian303 14y ago

Yes, but it's my understanding that the Hindi concept is much deeper than that. I don't presume to be an expert on this topic (Hindi karma), however. Philosophical karma is a different thing and very simple. What is attached to popular karma is an over-optimistic, unrealistic viewpoint of rewards based on action. The world doesn't work that way, but a lot of people, especially in the western world think it does and think this is a valid concept. It's not. It's a sequitur. That is all that I was stating. I do not wish to attach anything more to the concept than has already been attached.

TheAmazingIdiot 14y ago
I waited to respond to stay away from the people here who hate religion, as well as get sufficiently off the front page as not to derail the general antivirus discussion. Karma is simply that: action. Physical actions are just like how we accept Newton's Laws of motion as science (in Cartesian, non-relatavistic, non-high-gravity). It can be tested to a high degree of certainty, and therefore requires heavy proof to overcome. However the distinction with karma is application of Newton's laws to also human behavior. That includes equal and opposite reactions to emotions, thoughts, and efforts. Those who followed Hinduism accepted this idea as Karma. Wiccans know this as the Wiccan Rede and the threefold rule. LaVeyan Satanism's "Rules of the Earth" have some sembelance of 'do no harm to innocents'. Even Jews discuss this very topic with the positive form in Leviticus 19:18, whilst not discussing the basis for it (it's usual for Abrahamic religions to give commandments). I think every religion has developed a wording of the same principal of Karma, but with slightly different wordings due to language and culture. Most seem to get the idea of inertia. People tend to go the direction they were already headed towards, even if it is ruin. I've seen this time and again with people. It doesn't matter if you tell them: something with as much force has to get in their way. And most people get reciprocity, or "you get what you put out". Seems awfully similar to "For Every Action, there is an equal and opposite Reaction".

dbaupp 14y ago

What people attach to it does matter: having shared meanings for sequences of letters/sounds is how language works, and the sequence of letters "karma" has meaning in modern English which is different to its Hindi meaning.