Tags: Altruism, Democracy, Elections, Self-interest
This should beg a contingent question, of course: if I do care, what should I (or, indeed, could I) do about it? Perhaps I should backtrack and, in so doing, clarify what it is about which I should be caring. It might just be a consequence of my age, or my circumstances, or a combination of both, but over the last ten years or thereabouts, I have found myself pondering the most fundamental questions associated with our existence; no, not what is probably the most fundamental question of all: why are we here? Having relinquished Christianity long since, I realised the futility of trying to find an answer to that one.
That doesn’t mean to say that I ignore it completely - far from it - but I have come to the conclusion that, given that we are indisputably here, we should see it as our mission (over and above the continuation of our species, although, for me, there are real reservations attached to that) to better ourselves, individually and collectively, as much as humanly possible (if that isn’t a tautology?).
Inevitably, this brings me to a dichotomy that has plagued me for most of my adult life: I feel impelled by some ineffable force to bestow on my fellow human beings (and the irony is intentional) the benefit of my knowledge & experience, genuinely without any expectation of gratitude or plaudits, because I believe, undoubtedly naïvely, that the life of the person on the receiving end of my beneficence will be somehow enriched, but that (notwithstanding its debatable veracity) also brings me to the converse of this wrangle: what on earth gives me the right to believe this, or even think it?
I don’t think it would be an overstatement to say that this is supreme arrogance, the sort of mindset that impelled our illustrious and predominantly Christian Victorian forebears to ‘improve’ the lives of the not-so-noble savages on the dark continents of the world, leaving a legacy (perhaps not irrevocably all bad, if it is possible to be charitable) whose debatable rewards we are still reaping to this day. (So why do I do it? If I had a therapist, he or she would no doubt justify his or her fee by telling me but, not having this dubious advantage, all I can say is that it beats the hell out of me!)
This is after the novelty of the first flush of enthusiasm for colonisation for almost exclusively commercial reasons, undertaken by the first Elizabethans to the Georgians, had worn off; no: the Victorians (pace Ian Hislop et al) were doing it purely for the benefit of mankind! (the gender bias not entirely unintentional, but I digress)
So, striving manfully to ignore my dichotomy, I return to the subject of this blog, which is only my personal opinion (whose right to express is rightly enshrined in international law), but I sincerely believe that it is valid: is it so difficult a concept to take on board that, in addition to making the best possible life for ourselves, by means that are the basis of common law (cause no injury or harm or loss), we should (and I hesitate to use the term feel duty-bound) try to help & improve the lives of others as much as possible (now I hear the voice of the devil on my shoulder whispering ‘whether they want it or not!’)
Now, most people have no problem with this concept where their immediate family is concerned; it is trickier where mere acquaintances or, worse, strangers might be considered. Sorry for the lack of warning, but: Impending Political Content Klaxon!
As much as a lot of people, for entirely understandable (if not commendable) reasons, find the subject (or even the mention) of politics to be intolerably tedious (how consummately Cowardian), it is inescapable that politics has an effect on every aspect of our lives, so to ignore it, blithely or otherwise, is to relinquish the responsibility for our own lives which is inherently ours, and worse, notwithstanding the potentially destructive negativity of powerlessness, both perceived and actual, enables exterior agencies (the two most obvious and powerful being governments and global corporations; associate them how you will) to exert their power over us. Is that worth caring about? It is to me!
I am ashamed to admit (as, indeed, I should be) that occasionally, I allow myself to sneer at the self-interest displayed by a section of the populace (some of whom will undoubtedly vote Conservative) which I consider to be partly to blame for holding us back developmentally. This is signally unfair, because without it, we would probably have died out as a species quite quickly. What we seem to be lacking is a sense of proportion: the optimum balance between self-interest and altruism. I suppose every generation is of the opinion that affairs are ‘going to hell in a handcart’, but I hope it is not being melodramatic to state that I think the forthcoming general election in Britain will be absolutely crucial: possibly even pivotal.
I am happy to state for the record that I do not explicitly endorse any political party, because I don’t believe that any one has all the answers, but I do know which British political party has caused more problems in the whole of its existence; not where “The Economy”, a subject whose orthodoxy I refuse to accept, is concerned; but problems for the majority who are not inordinately wealthy, as a result of inheritance or ignoring the right of employees to a fair recompense (or both), and thereby a dignified standard of living.
You might consider that you are well off, financially and, if that is how you measure happiness as a concomitant of material success, then good luck to you. However, I would ask you to consider those less well off than you, and how you might be able to help them so easily without parting with a single penny, directly. If you are one of those less well off, and you want to help yourself, as well as others in a similar position, please remember that there is power in numbers, and a non-vote is as good as a vote for the opposition. If you are not already registered to vote, I implore you to do so; however bad you think the current system is (and I agree), not voting will not change anything, but a more caring administration undoubtedly will. On June the 8th, if the incumbent is a Conservative, please vote for whichever candidate in your constituency stands the best chance of unseating him or her: as on many occasions in the past, but all the more so now, party affiliations this time around have to be subordinate to the mantra: Ditch the Tories! Do this for the good of your country! (and yourself, of course!)