For the practice of (conscious or unconscious) selfishness, what is more convenient than being indifferent to others' suffering, is to deny the existence of it.
I don't mean to tip the conversation towards fear and away from convenience. But I guess that's what I'm doing. I'll bring it back to convenience afterward.
I think the indifference is more frightening. If someone sincerely denies the suffering of another, at least I have a chance to convince them otherwise. But if they are indifferent, there's nothing I can do.
To bring it back to convenience: I agree, denial is more convenient. The indifferent person puts himself in a less effective political position, which is less convenient. The denying person may claim that they wish suffering would cease, but allow themselves to act as freely as the indifferent person by denying the existence of the suffering; this a more effective political position, which is more convenient.
P.S. Blogger should have a within-5-minutes edit feature.
In terms of introspection, I think indifference is more convenient because it's simpler. Denying is an active process, indifference is a passive one. Lying to myself about the suffering of others takes more work than simply not caring.
Yes, indifference is more dangerous and harmful to humanity, because there is no hope for them to be compassionate. the reason i said denial is more "convenient" is because by denying the existence of suffering, they are free from feeling guilty. possibly these two are interchangeable in different situations, denial can be a form of indifference...
And that's good point. Someone could feel bad about not caring.
I take back my claim that I can do nothing about an indifferent person. An indifferent person might start to care if they had a chance to see the person's suffering in a new way. For example, someone in a skyscraper might make a decision that they know would cause the suffering of thousands of people, yet not care; however, if they were to meet those people, see their eyes, hear their voices in person, they might start to care.
So true.
ReplyDeletethanks charlene!
DeleteI don't know which frightens me more, the indifference or the denial.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI don't mean to tip the conversation towards fear and away from convenience. But I guess that's what I'm doing. I'll bring it back to convenience afterward.
ReplyDeleteI think the indifference is more frightening. If someone sincerely denies the suffering of another, at least I have a chance to convince them otherwise. But if they are indifferent, there's nothing I can do.
To bring it back to convenience:
I agree, denial is more convenient. The indifferent person puts himself in a less effective political position, which is less convenient. The denying person may claim that they wish suffering would cease, but allow themselves to act as freely as the indifferent person by denying the existence of the suffering; this a more effective political position, which is more convenient.
P.S.
Blogger should have a within-5-minutes edit feature.
In terms of introspection, I think indifference is more convenient because it's simpler. Denying is an active process, indifference is a passive one. Lying to myself about the suffering of others takes more work than simply not caring.
DeleteThis topic kind of makes me want to cry.
Matthew, i appreciate your compassion!
DeleteYes, indifference is more dangerous and harmful to humanity, because there is no hope for them to be compassionate. the reason i said denial is more "convenient" is because by denying the existence of suffering, they are free from feeling guilty.
possibly these two are interchangeable in different situations, denial can be a form of indifference...
Thanks Yun Yi.
DeleteAnd that's good point. Someone could feel bad about not caring.
I take back my claim that I can do nothing about an indifferent person. An indifferent person might start to care if they had a chance to see the person's suffering in a new way. For example, someone in a skyscraper might make a decision that they know would cause the suffering of thousands of people, yet not care; however, if they were to meet those people, see their eyes, hear their voices in person, they might start to care.
Exactly, so very true and well said, Yun.
ReplyDelete