607 Bridges And Still Counting
The Times also tells the tale of Toni Rüttiman, a man who has helped to build 607 bridges. There are more details here on Wikipedia. He is summed up by this sentence.
Toni Rüttimann has no home; he carries all he needs in two small bags. One is for his personal effects, the second one for his suspension bridge building materials. Rüttimann works with destitute people to build or re-build their own bridges, often after a hurricane, an earthquake, or a war event.
He works for free!
He is definitely one of the world’s unsung heroes.
The Anonymous Widower 
Wonderful story! Toni Ruttiman (can’t do the umlaut on my laptop) sounds a truly remarkable individual.
This is certainly not a bridge too far!
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013 |
He seems that! Remember, it will be science and engineering and not politicians and religion that rescues the world.
Comment by AnonW | March 16, 2013 |
Well, religion of the right sort might help, but politicians certainly won’t make the world a better place.
Science and engineering, together with respect for the natural environment, are definitely the key to a better world.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013
remember that most good people, be they religious or not, have similar principles on most ethical dilemmas.
Comment by AnonW | March 16, 2013 |
Yes, principles are not the prerogative of religious people and ethical dilemmas are part of the human condition. As Plato said, “the unexamined life is not worth living.”
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013 |
After all some of the most ethical people have had to religion. You know your Greek philiosophers. I don’t
Comment by AnonW | March 16, 2013
Most ancient Greek philosophers seem to have been religious, with exceptions (e.g. Democritus the atomist, born in Avdira – where some of my relatives live, incidentally -). Even Socrates, the wisest of men, on his deathbed reminded Crito of the sacrificial offering that was owed.
Not being a theist of any kind was not really an option until quite recently in history. Even as late as the 16th century and the wars of religion, someone referred to as an “atheist” usually simply belonged to another Christian denomination rather than being of the Richard Dawkins camp.
I agree that ethics and religion do not necessarily go hand in hand, but they probably didn’t part company until the eighteenth century and onwards.
Comment by Janice Mermikli | March 16, 2013