The Libyan crisis has made the world sit up and think. Opinions are divided; on the one hand, there some who believe that they need to interfere, and on the other hand, there are those who believe that there should be no interference in the internal affairs of a country. It’s a country ruled by a dictator they say and now he is attacking his own people. On the face of it the actions seems to be a justified one. On the other hand one begins to wonder at the stand taken by some who are opposed to air strikes and interference. How could they not oppose a regime that seeks to harm its own people?
The aim of this exercise is not to discuss the morality of such an action, but to analyse the human morality and freedom, and seek a solution to our existential crisis for our lives. Just an analysis will not suffice; an awareness exercise is not a solution for the ills of society, but a pragmatic and practical solution is. The western morality is generally human centric, promoting human rights and dignity, whereby any wrong done to human beings is condemned, and the freedom of the individual has to be respected. The wisdom behind it is good and true. Whereas the eastern mind generally respects community and family, and governing authorities, as more important than individuals, and the individual’s right is bound up to the governing authority. This also seems good and true. An individual cannot act at freewill and disturb community life and unity. The quandary is this; what comes first?
Holding on to either of the two by rejecting the other is what extremism all about. Ideally the two go together. Man is an individual placed in a society. What comes first? Is it the society or is it the individual. The clarity is important, if it is not resolved than all our lives we will be carried away by the narrow vision of seeking social justice and solutions based on certain idealism. Many of the struggles for social justice are based on a society blame principle, as if the human individual can do no wrong.In a given wrong, one could either blame the society or the individual. It’s true that society and culture does influence the person and his thinking. Many of our actions and behavior patterns are rooted in the family values, and situations in which we are born and brought up in. Hence we have certain cultures, certain families and certain language groups, that exhibit a certain pattern of behavior. Yet we cannot be foolish and specify or quantify larger behavior patterns. Hence we could say; generally, rather than brand all and every one under a specific category.
The socialist would love to blame society for an individual’s waywardness. Does it resolve the question of the individual’s responsibility? If a human being was a zombie, without a capacity to think or act then the society could be blamed for their behavior; (Given that the society in which the individual is bred and brought up in, has the means and will, to impart intellectual knowledge to this individual in the first place.)
The other situation can that be of force, deception and subjugation; a minor could be forced, deceived and subjugated into stealing and the blame could be on the adult or society. Yet even in this situation, teaching the minor the whole reason for righteous living and walking in uprightness is necessary. If a grown-up complains of such a situation and seeks to blame others and society, then it is just another method of deception. An alcoholic could blame his father or mother for his state, but that in no way would help him to overcome, or deal with the situation, and resolve it.
Ideally the configuration of both factors is important and necessary. But they cannot both have the same value. Though Society has a role in influencing the thinking and behavioral pattern of individual. Yes, one could justifiably blame it on society for an individual’s condition and way of thinking but further an individual’s free will and thinking can always make him rise above his narrow condition. The exercise of his freewill is what empowers him to rise above his situation. The adult’s responsibility to seek, know and implement the truth of life cannot be absolved. I cannot absolve myself from the law which considers murder a grave crime on the basis of ignorance or poor will to resist. If it does happen then one requires rehabilitation. Nor can I blame society for leaving me in such a lurch; for these are certain things which are discerned in one’s conscience. If society doesn’t teach me then I know in my heart what I desire from the other and hence I do unto others what I want others to do to me.(Mt.7:12) Therefore in the ultimate situation the individual has to take responsibility for what he or she has done.
Yet there are certain other factors which reduces the culpability of an individual while the objective norm remains; such as the emotional and mental state and situation in which an individual is born and brought up in and the present circumstance and intention.
The interesting fact to debate is this: Who has the greater influence; the society on the individual or the individual on society? Very rarely have we had individuals, who have made a big impact on society, but rarer still, are there visible instances where society has played a major role on individuals. Still, we cannot easily arrive at a concrete measure. And this is all the more difficult because a society is not uniform entity so as to propound a fixed theory. There are the leaders of the people who guide the fortunes and behavior patterns of the society too. Then we have the learning institutions and role models whom both individuals and societies ape and imitate and look for wisdom and guidance. The majority want it easy. We have them as leaders over us while we only rave and imitate them even in their unruly and disruptive ways. There is always the instructive way in which education seeks to inculcate values in an individual. But by the time a person grows up, he does not know how to differentiate between sound values and false. The moral principle and the ethical way of life are not always clear. It is a dark confusing world. Some of you reading this article will find it confusing. Life a complicated and dark entity! Where do we seek to find the solutions of life? Can we go for that perfect role model or that perfect instruction which could help us to grow in the right direction? Just a role model is not enough for it is not good and safe to imitate an individual whose talents and gifts are far different than mine.
Our search for that superman, the prefect man has to go on. Could there be one in the long history of human beings that superman who could be the perfect solution for our predicament. Jesus Christ surely fits in perfectly. Does anyone want to dispute with what I propose? Try knowing Jesus and see if there has been anyone anywhere near him in comparison. You won’t find one! Remember, I am not proposing a dead man; that would be like proclaiming a dead truth. What I am proclaiming is a living truth and hence Jesus as superman becomes so very special. The dead man Jesus showed super human qualities but the living Jesus, who rose from the dead, is with us to assist us to live life. HE clears the constant confusion and enlightens us, in the dark reality that surrounds us. Unfortunately, many Christians seek only the superman Jesus and try to live by his wisdom but fail to humbly seek the help of the living Jesus who still is with us (Emmanuel) to help us in our weakness to be super human beings.
Then there will no longer be a human being blaming society for his own misfortunes, while absolving himself from responsibility. Instead, in his place, we will have an individual who will praise God even for the evils of the past and rise above every power and forces that may seek to overcome him;
Ps 40:16-17 Let all those that seek and require You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified! [As for me] I am poor and needy, yet the Lord takes thought and plans for me. You are my Help and my Deliverer. O my God, do not tarry!
We have the power of the Resurrection in our life to help conquer; this Power that Jesus gives to those who ask. HIS HOLY SPIRIT.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I thank you for revealing to me this moment, that you are the one, we should look for, and look no further for solutions to our existential and human problems. Help me to live by your wisdom and to be guided by your constant grace and assistance.
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