by McMurphy Quito
We are responsible for the death of the Other. This is one of the most significant statements put forth by Levinas. It is not only a blunt and truthful statement, but also reveals to us our very nature as living beings.
As living beings, we need resources to live, but the world does not have equal or infinite resources for us. If we look at the animal kingdom, survival of the fittest takes place. There is a fight for life and consumption of resources. No animal is spared, because even the top sometimes fall. We are not animals, but humans can show such animalistic behavior. Throughout history we have fought over resources, land, ideas, religion, and many more. Now the conflicts has evolved into economic, political, and social means. Unfortunately, his is the world we live in and we have no control of those large scale circumstances.
On a smaller scale, each of us have our own needs to satisfy. Jobs, rent space, cars, parking space, school, and the list goes on. There is a probably a moment where you took that last drink in the soda machine. Or another moment when you happen to beat another driver to the last parking spot. How about that last order of sushi that you got? One way or another, someone is one the losing end. These are very small issues yet people are being affected one way or the other.
The danger of our society today is that we are living in a competitive system in which we must take in order to survive. This mentality can mislead us individually into centering our goals into the “I” and ignoring the Other. I’m not saying that we should go out and give our money away or donate to every single charity. I think what Levinas is trying to do is open our eyes and look at the reality of the world. We need to be aware of those around us and be sensitive of our actions. This leads us to our own individual choice – should I take what’s mine? Or should I be considerate and leave some for the Other?
We are not animals. But to be selfish, to be ignorant, to be greedy, and to do things that is self-serving is the lowest form a human can be.
I don't think that being concerned with the "I" is a bad thing.
ReplyDeletePeople will always end up needing certain things, society will always need certain constructs to function, and most glaringly, people will always be more concerned about matters pertaining to them first. We shouldn't demonize selfishness and concern for the "I". In fact, these flaws and acts of "killing" on serve to prove that we are in fact only human.
However the thing to think about here is that is that ALL what being Human is about? Those negative facets are fundamental parts of what we are, but we shouldn't pigeonhole ourselves into it. In fact, one could argue that this is only the first layer of discovering what being human is about. Everything starts with the "I", but more than that, the possibility to grow into more, starts from acknowledging the "I" first, and moving from it.
- Jul Constantino PH102 C
"We are not animals. But to be selfish, to be ignorant, to be greedy, and to do things that is self-serving is the lowest form a human can be." I do agree with this as i think this is the problem with the world today. We are too focused with self-maintenance that we completely forget the other. Sometimes we even push people down just to get to the top. Our world today is so much ruled by success, wealth, and fame even if it means to hurt or trample on people along the way. I think what the world needs today is precisely reflection and a reprioritization of what is really important.
ReplyDeleteFrenchi Baluyot A
I can't agree more with Frenchi Baluyot ^
ReplyDeleteThis chunk of words is part of the chorus of Man or Animal by Audioslave:
"I will love you more than money
I will breathe you in the smoke
I will drink you in my honey
Sweet and golden down my throat
When you're right, when you're wrong
Head is near, eyes are gone
You can drown my appetite
I will sip your tears at night
You can tie me to a chair
Skin and bones, I don't care
I could be rich or poor
I don't need anymore"
This, for me, seems to portray the never ending battle between the selfless giver and the materialistic and shallow society that we live in. It will take a lot of reflection and re-prioritization, just as what Frenchi said. But I think that this having to flow as a trend among the majority of men is something that we might not witness in our lifetime. But this is something worth fighting for, for the next generations to come.
Results may come slow if they do come at all, but just like wearing a pair of sneakers, it takes countless rubs against its sole before your feet begin feel the cement.
-It will take unmeasurable amounts of dedication and commitment to turn this into a reality.
Though at first, you'd think your shoes are indestructible, until you realize that you need a new pair.
(on the perception that change is impossible)
I don't fully agree with everything you said and I'm sorry, but I believe you are too quick to judge. Saying that "to be selfish, to be ignorant, to be greedy, and to do things that (are) self-serving is the lowest form a human can be." Even if it is this kind of ideology that Levinas tries to criticize, society has molded us to become self-perserving beings and indeed, you mentioned this earlier in your blog. However, are we really to blame for this kind of mindset? Being unethical has become the norm. Well, good for you if you have the courage to be able to fight the system, but for me, living a life like this is too ideal and that we still need to be practical at times.
ReplyDeleteRobert Go
Ph102 A
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe people in our era are sometimes too prone to search for power that many fail to acknowledge that life shouldn't be this way. We are not in a world where one's search for money and power is the thing to look forward on. It is the relationships with people that is important, and in essence, this is what philosophy tells us, that we do not need to look at money or power as the important thing in this world, we need to build on our relationships with people to be in Being. Because to be in being, we need to be for the other.
ReplyDeleteTrixia Tan
Ph102 C
I partly agree with your statement that the danger of our society today is that we are living in a competitive system in which we must take in order to survive. We actually don't have much freedom to choose to be ethical, as the competitive system constantly allures us to get to the top of the pyramid. For example, the grading system in school tells us that we really do the job of being a student well if we get an A in a specific class. But what really defines being good? What I am trying to say is that it is really hard to be ethical, but we can be ethical. And that it's very critical in education that we know what we are talking about, and we actually learn the lessons that education brings to us.
ReplyDeleteWai Yiu So (A)