2010 September « RNT 'log

Archive for September, 2010|Monthly archive page

Questioning the value of morality & Pakistan’s Mob Beatings

Posted September 11, 2010
Filed under: Life in general |

I will try to keep this short cause there is enough to read… at least try skimming thru Abbas’ analysis on the issue.

Take aways:

This is a pretty generic anti America, anti -zionist, neo-conservatism stance in my opinion. The author focuses on a very ‘Don’t act like we are the only ones guilty of such acts’ point of view citing examples of the birth of the Israeli state…(sounds familiar doesn’t it).

Anas Abbas – Response to Liberal Lynch Mob (What is wrong with such opinions which blame the west)

This is a good write up, and critiques Khan’s article addressing an issue we find not just pakistani’s or muslims guilty of, but everyone at all points in their lives. Tactics of deflection are born of an insecurity and because people are naturally defensive… I remember being this way since I was a kid. If i was blamed for something, my quickest defense would be to point to an act which i could some how use to justify my actions as not being out of the ordinary (I think at some level even though I am conscious of it, there will always be something that makes me defensive, its just the way I am wired). Abbas’ questions the relevance Khan’s comparisons but I believe relevance is not important, as long as intent and motivation can be correlated. This comes down to individual perception, and while Abbas may not agree with the relevance of comparing the Zionist struggle to mob beatings in Pakistan; Khan or anyone for that matter can justify their actions or others as they deem fit… we have minds of our own and can choose what is right and wrong, justified or unjustified.

This is important because, unfortunately while we have the ability to be independent thinkers, choose right from wrong, we invariably end up choosing or forming our opinions based on a few vociferous opinions that we are exposed to (i.e. that have strong influences on others, thus giving us a reason to find a cause to associate with). So while we can be different and may try to, most people wont want or try to be too different, and even in being different, we will always look to find social proof that agrees with us (this is the nature of human beings… ALWAYS seeking approval).

This is an important point, because our opinions and our belief systems are so influenced by our surroundings and the material aspects of our lives.

On average, life is a lot tougher and poverty is rampant in places like India and Pakistan that concepts of having morality or a conscience is an after thought – a rich man’s indulgence. The common man couldn’t give a rat’s a** of the impact of his actions on others as long as it achieves or sustains their own individual interest.

The bottomline:

Incidents or mob beatings in pakistan, terror attacks across the world, genocide in India and Africa etc are examples of what human beings are capable of … not examples of a immoral nation or of barbarians. If the UK had the same economic plight of Pakistan, you would be hearing about similar actions there. If you want to talk about people being barbaric, look at what the Belgians did and what the Colonials did in Africa and Asia, look at slavery, look at the wiping out of the native americans. Those are cases where people COULD HAVE indulges in having a stronger moral fabric and chose not to! So what makes us expect any better from a impoverished pakistani mob, populated with socially dysfunctional people, struggling to keep their families afloat and who probably have massive unaddressed psychological issues. Terrorism, such mob attacks, communal riots etc. are examples of how people ‘act out’ when pushed to the limit… we act like animals.

People like to talk about the innate goodness of human beings despite being surrounded with evidence that being selfish comes more naturally to us, and morality is a game of convenience.

We may be capable of greatness, having a strong moral fabric, being more conscientious… and while some of us achieve it and many strive to, the irony is most of us either don’t want to, couldn’t be bothered to, and find it immaterial.

Our perception always seems to outweigh the reality, and maybe we need to learn to accept the reality of our existence before we deem ourselves a civilization with a strong moral fabric.