In Richard Dawkins’s A Selfish Gene, a theory on segregated benevolence is proposed. In it, Dawkins explains how all humans feel that “one’s own species deserve special moral consideration compared with members of other species” (10). Among others, he uses the following example: “A human foetus, with no more human feeling than an amoeba, enjoys a reverence and legal protection far in excess of those granted to an adult chimpanzee. Yet the chimp feels and thinks and--- according to recent experimental evidence---may even be capable of learning a form of human language” (10).
I believe that we favor those in our species because we are identified by them. If someone is being bullied, it is easier to consider the possibility of one’s similar position, whereas, if one presences an animal being abused, a softer heart is required to defend him, for identifying oneself with an animal seems preposterous.
During one of my religion classes, I asked the rabbi, Rabbi Moti, why Jewish teachings command that all mitzvas, or good deeds, be done first to the fellow Jew, and then to the non-Jew. I thought this was terrible racism. His defense was the following: In this world, Jews must stick together to survive and prosper. We must help each other out, for, if we don’t, who will?
In this way, I believe that this patriotic altruism is not prejudice at all, but merely a system to focus good-deeds on a more “selfish” cause. We must bind together if we want to be more. This survival mechanism is confused with biased compassion, but it actually is something our genes have acquired. This is something that works.
No comments:
Post a Comment