The Ethical Revolution That Never Came
I have several claims for this 21st century: Was not it supposed to come with a huge change in human consciousness? Was not it supposed to be the time of a second rebirth? Well, no, everyone has failed us.
Humanity has spent millennia casting shit on itself since immemorial times , especially since we learned that accumulating more things than others could give us certain advantages, even when that meant destroying those around you. Fortunately, things have always tried to change for the better, because, from time to time, some people raise their voices to point out those things that, although they are in the naked eye nobody wants to look.
Even science -our Western science and sometimes biased-sells to us the idea that man tends to individualism, selfishness, and ambition, all of this under the argument that at very early stages of our species our survival depended on this characteristic.
Important Note: Ethics (from lat. Ethĭcus, and east from Greek ἠθικός ēthikós; the form f., From late lat. Ethĭca, and east from gr. Ἠθική ēthikḗ1) is the branch of Philosophy that studies the right or wrong of human behavior, morality, virtue, duty, happiness and good living. In addition, it has as its focus human actions and those aspects of the same that relate to the good, virtue, duty, happiness and life performed. -Wikipedia
When you think about it a bit, it has a lot of logic, because we all tend to react in a selfish and individualistic way when a situation of life and death comes to us. Ok, they're right, but not all.
And what about the fact that for millions of years we live in tribes? Did not we realize that evolution is more feasible in group?. Even today, almost all the cultures that make life on the planet recognize the role of family / teamwork / collectivity in what our civilization refers to.
Touché
In spite of all this, society has molded us as beings that are not altruistic, cold, selfish ... Everyone looks at their own and others can go to hell. And the worst thing is that we see it as something normal, especially when we are talking about money.
Making money is not the problem
Truthfully, we all want to make money. I want money too and I have nothing against those who want the same thing, but something that terrifies me, is that person who governs all of his decisions under the principle of mere self-profit.
Not to you?
Well, what do you think that person will do when making the right decision means losing or not making money ?. Yes, you guessed it. Absolutely everything will be worth shit and go to for what will guarantee their share of the cake.
Of course, it is people like that who dominate this world, and that is what explains that everything goes so badly. That is why 20% of the population consume 80% of the planet's resources. That explains the great inequalities in the world that we do not give a shit about. That explains everything...
We will have to do something
I want to clarify that I do not believe in a "Perfect" world -which in itself would be boring- full of Saints who do not make a mistake, but if I believe that, in the moment of truth, in things that matter, we need to grow Much more, it is imperative to elevate our consciousness to a state in which our disaster as a species is not nearly assured.
It looks cliché and quite trite, but it is a palpable reality. Just this past month (July) was one of the hottest in history, and that does not have to do with what we have just shit on sustainable development ?, does not have to do with what it's worth a damn make the decision Correct ?. What turns out to be important is if something gives us money. In short, science is advancing at an accelerated pace, while societies seem to regress and here is the result.
Let us change, please, we urgently need collective introspection to advance to balanced altruism. Listen well -or read- BALANCED ALTRUISM!.
I want to leave the following question open. What do you think I mean by balanced altruism?
See you!
All images used under Creative Commons
Originally published in Spanish
Greetings Efrain. I see with satisfaction that you are a reflective youth out of the ordinary, you think about the problems that afflict the world and you try to promote your thinking in your writings. I hope there are many who like you think of a better future for this society. When you talk about balanced altruism I think of a world where there are equal opportunities for all, that the most benefited contribute to the benefit of all, without becoming a form of sacrifice for them. That enrichment has a limit that does not negatively affect society or the environment, and that science works in order to achieve the happiness of society in general.
It's an honor to have Ana here! And your words are very encouraging, really, thank you very much.
Regarding the subject, you are very positive about what should be that balanced altruism that does not attack against individual freedoms and self preservation.
Yes, I feel it very similar, But evolution already took step in this case. We are little late about ethic and morale. I am afraid help can be only material. I will follow you for some time. I am interested in topic you are speaking about. If you will follow me as well in a few days I am going to write something similar about society, wish you good day.
Yes, unfortunately we have lagged behind in areas where our predecessors seemed to be much more advanced. American primitive cultures had a sense of solidarity, mutual respect and sustainability that today is enviable. Of course, there is the question that, little by little, societies with a destructive tendency, of exploitation and domination over others like the Aztecs or Incas, appeared.
Yes you are right but imagine the potential of creating nice and smart people around you. Of course I mean massively. If you could for example build a temple and raise a society inside you may then invade Big destructive societies with those enlightened people and change history. As long as BDS don't change You first. Godd luck.
Altruism doesn't seem to be based on reality. All humans want to satisfy their needs first and foremost, we all want to live life as we want. Helping others and forming tribes was the result of individuals coming together for the benefit of their own self-interest.
Why not? I think that altruism and cooperation are fundamental forma actual development of human kind. Being cooperative, of course that ends in individual benefits, but without destroying others.
Altruism states that that individuals do things for the benefits of others, either at the expense of themselves or some sort of selfless concern. I don't think this is true. What is actually true of humanity is that we do things for ourselves which can lead to cooperation and collective benefits. Of course you have to believe in freedom or else you may think its ok to harm/control others.
Imagine you can speak a language without words. Would you be so sure about what you stand for if you couldn't foundate yourself by any physical and historical word? Altruism is just a word and True is also just a word,I really tried to point out where I am looking. There is something much more behind this historical background that we use. Even reality is based on nature which cooperates and lives together where any part of nature still find itself thinking about his won. And if we Humans pretend to be some higher purpose we need to become natured with each other and cooperate. Some of us will become one purposse which is a tribe and some others. And language will help us work somehow differently then simply killing those who stand in our purpose because they serve their purpose as well.
excellent post friend congratulations, @efrageek I wish you the greatest of future success dear colleague
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