Humans becoming indifferent to thinking
By Letter to the Editor on February 20, 2021.
Editor:
I agree wholeheartedly with Tad Mitsui (Jan. 20 Lethbridge Herald )
Humans are exhibiting a pathetic indifference to the process of ‘thinking.’
We are walking blindly without any awareness of our own lives and that of others.
This deficiency in rumination has serious consequences for the individual, family and society.
The chaos in relationships that we are witnessing is often, not due to malice, but has its roots in ‘thoughtlessness’.
No one is inclined to reflect on the impact of their actions on others.
Inspite of living under the same roof people are clueless about the feelings of their immediate family. Problems occur, are not resolved, misunderstandings and anger build up destroying relationships especially marriages. Children are the true victims and suffer from insecurities and anxiety.
We must teach ourselves and our children the value of reflection not just about ‘me and mine’ but also about the world around us of which we are an integral part.
No society can progress unless its citizens possess the capability to contemplate and comprehend the deficiencies and failures of our world .
Our society is outrageously flawed. Think about the social issues like poverty, resultant crime, gap between the rich and the poor, social and racial injustice and our propensity to create conflict and unnecessary wars.
Our world can never advance until these human issues are addressed. By analyzing and comprehending the imperfections of our society, we can cultivate compassion to share our wealth with the less fortunate.
There are many organizations that are involved in supporting the poor and disabled .Only through thought we can foster the sense of discretion between right and wrong.
A moral ,thinking person knows that what is right for him is not necessarily right for humanity and acts according to his conscience.
It was great thinkers like Mahatama Gandhi, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King who transformed our world.
Work is one of the most important activity of our lives.
But if we identify with our work, do we have no identity until we start working? How about after retirement ?
We are not what we do. Our identity is who we are. Whether we are a loving, kind ,compassionate, righteous person or not defines us.
“I am because I think.” — Ren’e Decarte.
“Being and thought are one.” — Jean Dubuffet.
“To seek and understand life is to seek satisfaction, for there is nothing to match the satisfaction of understanding.” — Socrates.
Ramma Sawhney.
Lethbridge
-1
a most thoughtful letter – thank you for hitting on the “heart” of the matter. i feel there is a greater awakening afoot, and increasingly, despite the lies and propaganda promulgated by peddlers of consumerism , accumulation and false fame, people will be more in tune with their vital essence and that of others and all sentient beings. we will come to understand that learning to develop our capacity to love, to be love, is our true legacy and the only the thing we leave to others and go forward with from the earth experience.
Some additional thoughts from the British philosopher, Bertrand Russell.
https://harpers.org/archive/1932/10/in-praise-of-idleness/
an excellent read from a sharp mind in an excellent magazine. thank you.