Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Katrina: Utility versus Existential Value
Each and every living being of this universe has two types of value: utility value and existential value. Sometimes, we might be unable to recognize the existential value of a creature, either individually or collectively. Sometimes a creature, individually or collectively, might not have existential value in the eyes of human beings. But there is always some existential value from a cosmic perspective. And every creature has existential value to its own self. In the same way as human beings value their own lives, other creatures also value their own lives. It is on this firm foundation that the Principle of Social Equality shines brightly as the perennial inspiration for social justice.
Sadly, in this capitalist and materialist world, existential value has taken a back seat to utility value. And that is why when disaster struck in New Orleans, even the richest country of the world was unprepared to act promptly to save lives. Instead, the Federal Government of the U.S. and the major relief agencies in the U.S. were blinded by the false god of "sustainable development", a demon spawn of utility value. Yes, surely it is good when money invested continues to yield positive output many years later. But the preservation of life takes precedence over such type of commercial thinking.
The U.S. Government sent troops to Iraq - to save the world from Saddam's non-existent weapons of mass destruction. And when that brief war of occupation was over and rioting broke out, the U.S. army quickly deployed to protect the oil installations. People were dying. An ancient cultural heritage was being despoiled. But the utility value of oil took precedence over the existential value of the Iraqi citizens and Iraqi society. With Hurricane Katrina, we saw yet another evidence of this warped American amorality. Without the incentive of an economic or political gain - or the fear of an economic or political loss - human life, what to speak of animal and plant life, was of no interest to those in power and those with the clear duty to render aid.
Sadly, in this capitalist and materialist world, existential value has taken a back seat to utility value. And that is why when disaster struck in New Orleans, even the richest country of the world was unprepared to act promptly to save lives. Instead, the Federal Government of the U.S. and the major relief agencies in the U.S. were blinded by the false god of "sustainable development", a demon spawn of utility value. Yes, surely it is good when money invested continues to yield positive output many years later. But the preservation of life takes precedence over such type of commercial thinking.
The U.S. Government sent troops to Iraq - to save the world from Saddam's non-existent weapons of mass destruction. And when that brief war of occupation was over and rioting broke out, the U.S. army quickly deployed to protect the oil installations. People were dying. An ancient cultural heritage was being despoiled. But the utility value of oil took precedence over the existential value of the Iraqi citizens and Iraqi society. With Hurricane Katrina, we saw yet another evidence of this warped American amorality. Without the incentive of an economic or political gain - or the fear of an economic or political loss - human life, what to speak of animal and plant life, was of no interest to those in power and those with the clear duty to render aid.
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The existential vs. utility problem seems to be a major issue facing students in university or people searching for meaningful employment.
It is reported that many students just want to get their degrees and get out as soon as possible, so they can go make money. Other students see higher learning as an opportunity to study the deeper aspects of life---what does it mean to be human being? What is the purpose of life? What is my place in the world, and what can I do to live an ideal life?
As these more idealistic students graduate and are let free into "the real world" they are met with the conflict between surviving in a materialistic world and living according the deeper values they may have aquired---that is if the higher learning environment was able to provide a glimpse into the higher questions of life. They may come to realize that "the real world" of utility value is really the "unreal world" of false values. How can such people find meaningful emploment in a marketplace that honors the mere utility vaulue of human beings?
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It is reported that many students just want to get their degrees and get out as soon as possible, so they can go make money. Other students see higher learning as an opportunity to study the deeper aspects of life---what does it mean to be human being? What is the purpose of life? What is my place in the world, and what can I do to live an ideal life?
As these more idealistic students graduate and are let free into "the real world" they are met with the conflict between surviving in a materialistic world and living according the deeper values they may have aquired---that is if the higher learning environment was able to provide a glimpse into the higher questions of life. They may come to realize that "the real world" of utility value is really the "unreal world" of false values. How can such people find meaningful emploment in a marketplace that honors the mere utility vaulue of human beings?
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