“We can all agree: there is a problem with the self-seeking human ego” (p. 91).
Nature is not necessarily a mirror of human ego because humans have the innate consciousness and desire to enhance their lives. One of the differences between nature and humans is that things in nature strive to survive while humans strive to not only survive but to gain far more than is necessary. This human greed is ongoing and continuously growing. The more a person has, generally the more they desire to increase what they have and in the process of doing so they do not mind disturbing the tranquility of nature or others. Nature does not go out of its way to harm others while trying to get ahead and this is why harmony exists in natural settings.
It seems as if humans are constantly trying to build themselves up and to fulfill their ego no matter what or who they have to trample over to get there. The people who they trample over are the majority of the time, the poor. “Organized society can inflame, pander to, or exploit these weaknesses, or it can encourage generosity, kindness, trust.” (p. 99). The majority of the time society would choose to exploit weakness rather than fix the problems that we have created which cause oppression. This division can be seen in the different living standards of the classes of people, what jobs they have, and their social “worth”. Humans use the shortcomings of others as a foothold to increase their own status and comfort.
No comments:
Post a Comment