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.
