Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Empathy.

This title has been thrown around quite a lot since the Haitian earthquakes and I've read and commented on some interesting takes on the subject. Now I feel it is time to express my own feelings on empathy, specifically towards natural disasters and depending how deeply I get into this I may go further.

Most people interpret the natural world from baseless perspectives and from conclusions lacking evidence or even proper understanding. This is the subjective reality in which Human kind has submitted itself to. This is fine, and I understand that some people can't grasp such turbulence or refuse to scratch under the surface.

The natural world, regardless of what some people believe has gone on before us and it will continue on... long after our species falls to extinction. Our individual subjective perspectives are not needed to make this happen. However, people press onward with such naive concepts like:

"This happened because of the plan."
"There is some purpose in this."
"This is a way of the earth thinning out humanity."

All the above statements are false, I can't stress this enough.

The earth is simply a celestial body which we happen to have been fortunate to be able to evolve on. It knows nothing of such concepts, it is not an organism, it isn't even alive. Such anthropomorphism of the planet seems a little unnecessary to me, but I see it happening so much in the news and from talking to people that it had to be mentioned.

I'll make note now that I do not think there is any form of clockmaker or deity calling the shots over head. I can't fathom this concept, or why people immediately run to it. My only attribution of why it is being said is a lack of understanding of the natural world and its processes.

When humanity inhabits most of the planet, it is statistically high that eventually we'll be caught in the crossfire of some natural reoccurring event like earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, etc... such is the way of the world. For millions of years these processes have occurred, with no regard for life. Whole species have been destroyed, and new ones have risen up, such are the natural laws.

The naive interpretations of some purpose to tragedy, of all types, should be seen as nothing more but comforting words which hold no truth. In places like the Ring of Fire it was beyond moronic to think that an earthquake of that magnitude would not occur at some point. The same can be said about those who live in denial of the active volcanoes which people decide it would be nice to live under.

Hope, prayers, and subjective reality are not enough to sway statistically probable reoccurring events. To me this is a dangerous interpretation which puts people in situations which could have been prevented by common sense.

8 comments:

Peter Lavelle said...

Given your bleak perspective it's a wonder you find writing the post worthwhile.

Of course, the 'purposelessness' of existence doesn't prevent one feeling empathy for the suffering of others.

Right?

Dark Slander said...

Peter Lavelle:

Absolutely! Although I have fringe beliefs I am not completely a sociopath. I wouldn't have written for the Haitian people if I was. I sympathize for their pain and suffering.

But I make note that such things have been occurring for millions of years, so they should be expected and understood. There is no point in placing blame in the natural laws, they run regardless of our opinions of them.

Kelly said...

I agree with you on most points. Glad to hear you have empathy for Haiti. My respect for John Travolta went up a notch when I saw/heard that he flew his jet there with a crapload of much need supplies for the natives. Publicity stunt or not (even cynical me doesn't think it was that), He's cool for that.

As far as something that can be described as a powerful being around us or watching us, thats a matter of faith. My personal experiences have swayed me to one side, in particuloar. Not a scientific issue, if you think about it. I condemn wars and greed and other horrible shit that comes from it, however.

There are real natural laws, too, as you explained.

Peter Lavelle said...

I guess you're the archetypal existentialist then, Slander: no meaning except what we create.

Dark Slander said...

Peter: I just identify that the reality which we preserve and believe to understand is fully subjective. I realize there is a real reality beyond the influence of our human perceptions which is run by the natural laws.

Dark Slander said...

Kelly: I am shocked Travolta went, he was the last person I would expect. My only issue with it is that he brought a boat load of scientologists... I really have my doubts that they won't be running around converting.

Thanks for stopping by. ;)

samaskin said...

What I find interesting is that there seems to be dvisions where people can be stereotyped in these situations. Those that believe that the events MUST be due to powers above, those that have no idea, those that don't believe but think the perspectives are interesting (myself) and those that think its a load of bs and people should get their heads screwed on tighter (yourself). Interesting how strongly the beliefs can be at each end of the scale and the effect on those in the middle. Thanks for the indirect inclusiong of my post lol.

nothing profound said...

Odd that when you simply and truthfully state that nature has no regard for human life, people get upset. This is not the same thing as saying one should lack empathy or do nothing to help people in distress. You are talking about the universe, not human beings.