III. Choosing Apathy

"Ignorance of the law is no excuse.”

   Have you heard that one before? Certainly most of us have.

   Does it seem logical? Apparently so. Otherwise, most of us wouldn't still quote it.

   Is it absolutely logical? No, it is not, and unfortunately so, for many before us have suffered unnecessarily by it.

   Let's be clear about something before continuing though. Our forefathers and foremothers weren't idiots. That precept, though erroneous, eliminated another fearful possibility, and they had to choose between the two. Analyzing matters completely, they choose justly, because their knowledge was meager compared with our's in modern society. What has happened is technological achievement now renders that precept worthless.

   "Ignorance of the law is no excuse” was a just precept long ago when our ancestors had to consider the possibility that someone would vie for wrong and then claim ignorance of right as a defense. If that precept hadn't been in place, chaos would have ruled as criminal after criminal would have used this "ignorance” argument to avoid punishment. That precept, though erroneous, represented to our ancestors a commitment to Safety (or Security, depending on your own perception) above the possibility of false imprisonment, that is, punishment doled out to someone who really was ignorant at the time!

   This is because all that a truly ignorant person needs to do right (assuming that person to be committed to doing right over wrong) is a simple explanation. For such an individual imprisonment is by far too heinous a punishment. Nevertheless, it happened: The truly ignorant suffered at the hands of "Right" for the sake of fear.

   Nowadays, psychological knowledge has become so advanced and refined, that we can know beyond all doubt (believe it or not, this is entirely correct!) whether someone is lying or not. Yes we can, and if you disagree it's only because you are ignorant of all of modern psychological science. So, that erroneous precept above now becomes,

"Pretense is no protection.”

Today, pretending to be ignorant won't protect you from punishment. Only the truly ignorant nowadays may escape punishment, but only if they lack the capacity for recognizing the Right option — Cautious, Considerate, Compassionate, Concerned, Competent, Responsible — from the wrong. Ignorance on one hand must be balanced by the capacity to think and realize for one’s self on the other, assuming sufficient time, awareness and ability to do so.

  A. Choice

   For the sake of Safety, our ancestors chose apathy. Perhaps they chose sadly, because it was necessary if society was to remain cohesive, survive and progress.

   Humans choose apathy for several reasons:

• Prevention (Safety and Security), like our ancestors did with the above erroneous precept.

• Survival (Killing and Consuming Animals). Though this practice is unnecessary today, modern society still continues to commit this wrong. In the far, far, imaginary future, if we encounter an alien society superior in intellect to our own, shall they be equally justified to dispose of us as we have disposed of "Earth's lower life forms"? What if they find convenience or enjoyment in consuming us? (Vegetarians are Right. Killing is wrong. Period.)

• Sloth (Avoiding Mental Work). Yes, humans are lazy, physically and mentally. We prefer to decide according to what the popular conception is or to how matters seem, rather than exerting some effort to imagine possibilities which others (or authority) may be overlooking (however rare those possibilities may be). At times, we continue to do as we were taught or self-programmed into doing without taking a moment to think about possible oversight.

• Learned Helplessness. Some actually choose to helplessly allow self-suffering to occur, because attempt after attempt after attempt has taught them that there is absolutely nothing they may do to bring about an alternate end. Or they may fear what might happen if they were to try (e.g., someone living under totalitarian rule).

• Selfishness (Crime). Choosing to self-protect or to achieve some selfish gain regardless of the consequences, or choosing to ignore the consequences for the same end, is criminal. Though children may do it, they are children, still learning and still developing cognitively. Among fully aware and cognizant adults, selfishness regardless of consequence is criminal.

   Always must we consider how our decisions will affect others, our society as a whole and other societies as well, and even future generations. How shall subsequent generations — several centuries in advance? — respond to, react to, praise or criticize the decision you are making? If time travel were possible, how might they be telling you to decide? Always must you become aware of the BIG picture when deciding what is "right" or "best" in general. The Right Decision takes into account EVERYTHING, ALL variables. Learn to forget about focusing on you, you, YOU! Instead, learn to automatically focus your attention on the task of actively deducing what is best for everyone in general once all relevant information has been amassed and taken into account. Analyze all possible consequences, implications, subsequent criticisms. Always consider the selfless option in the way of recognizing what is Right or Best. Forget about what seems appropriate; worry over what is appropriate once all influencing factors and potential consequences are taken into consideration. ALL assumptions must be exposed and erroneous perceptions eliminated.

  B. Protection

   Caring is human, and Nature is cruel.

   Look around you. Observe. Humans are the only creatures here on planet Earth who truly care for all other creatures in addition to our own. We are the only creatures possessing the cognitive capacity for doing so. How does it feel to be so special? But alone.

   Some (actually most) may say that, because we are alone in this regard, we should just leave all the animals as they are, killing and tormenting each other. That is, they say that we should just choose apathy in our deliberations of all the other creatures who share our planet, because that's the way matters have always been before. But Nature's cruelty is no excuse for repeating the example she sets. As caring, intelligent beings couldn't we aspire to do better? We have the capacity now to not only solve our problems, but their problems as well. We look to the stars when we should likewise be looking at ourselves. Life becomes better when it's managed by those who care.

   Nature: We can tame her if we so choose. For now, it's only a matter of popularity.

   As intelligent creatures, we have the brain power to do better, and never before have we had the technological prowess to make it happen. Certainly we have our own problems to solve, and it may seem more logical to us to start with ourselves first! So, when priorities are laid out, human problems rank primary to the problems of any other creature (unless that other creature happens to be your own loving pet! Starvation, curable disease and malnutrition have persisted in the world as the wealthy threw away millions on feeding, vaccinating and nourishing their pets), because we haven't the means to do all all of the time. Nevertheless, though it may be impossible for the few to protect and provide for all, it is always possible for a few concerned and caring citizens to at least advocate or sponsor the creation of an authority who can.

   As a caring, adult human being I find it strange that some uncaring human beings actually occupy professional decision-making occupations! How can an uncaring human being aptly be described as a "professional decision-maker"? How can an animal-killer be called "professional," someone whose very occupation demands CARE and COMPASSION for all? Surely, our ancestors killed, hunted and fished, but they did it to survive! We don’t need to! Yet we still do it. No laws have been passed (yet) disallowing it. Just go buy a gun, walk in the woods, and blow a life away. Who cares? Yes, there are those who argue, "The animals don’t care. They are all killing one another, and they even kill us sometimes. So why should we care about them?” To you I say, "Another’s stupidity is no excuse for your hatred. The simple fact that one living being is dumber than you doesn’t provide you with sufficient grounds for extermination or torment. Consciousness, self-awareness of one’s own being, marks the beginning of all life, and it must be protected.” As a professional decision-maker, you must be committed to Right and Compassion. Killing other living creatures and consuming them (OH, how disgusting!) is for the non-thinking among us. Perhaps one day that statement shall apply to no one and not just to the "non-thinking.”

   These creatures are ALIVE, CONSCIOUS and BREATHING. "Stupidity" is irrelevant. "Dumbness" provides us with no excuse for KILLING! Life is far too valuable a commodity to waste. The choice is clear. Why should our tongues achieve greater priority than our CARING EMOTIONS? The RIGHT option to choose is as obvious as the noses on our faces! Why is it so difficult for us to see this? Are our brains defective?!

   To those who would prefer to quote Biblical scripture for supporting mankind's killing and consuming of other living creatures sharing our planet, we must remember that the same Biblical scriptures may be quoted in defense of slavery! See the rather extensive documentation posted at AltaVista, Google, Lycos and Yahoo! Furthermore, consider the following argument:

Read the Ten Commandments. What does the sixth commandment say? Do you read "Thou shalt not kill,” or do you read "Thou shalt not kill humans”? Why didn't God say "humans”? It’s only ONE (1) word! Are we to assume that God was too tired at that precise moment of utterance to say "humans”? That's certainly a preposterous thought to contemplate! Or, rather, did He ignore that single word purposely? The notion that He ignored that single word on purpose makes much more sense. So, you now have a choice. Either follow what the apostles have said or follow what God has said. Your choice. See Vegetarians Are Right ... Killing is Wrong! and "Animals Are Right!”

   Protection. Think "protection.” Think "care.” When you start thinking just those two words, you begin to realize what in the world may be done to make life here more enjoyable ... for all.

All opinions expressed in this web site, unless otherwise noted, are my own, Michael Gaspard. If you notice any errors or have any suggestions for improvement, please let me know by e-mailing webmaster@mdpme.com. Thank you!

This web page was last updated on Monday, February 2, 2004.
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