I like to think that I’m fairly self-aware. I especially like to think that I’m aware of assumptions I take to be true. But I was struck the other day by one that is near the core of my identity that I’d never noticed as an assumption before. Of course when you have assumptions buried that deep unexamined, they tend to be considered elemental truths, and that’s definitely the case with this one.
Anyway, the assumption here is one of human value. It’s a bit hard for me to state, but it’s something like ‘individual human lives are the fundamental point of measurement for humanity’. Which is sort of a restatement of Kant’s categorical imperative: treat no person as a means only. If individual human lives are the the ultimate measurement of how humane things are then ideas such as ‘acceptable losses’ and ‘sacrificing the few for the good of the many’ are untenable.
I’m not actually bothered by this. I think this is a pretty good core value to hold. I just was struck by the fact that it need not be a core assumption. I can imagine functional societies that value the individual less. I do, however, think that Western political and philosophical thought is dominated by the value of the individual. Is this true in other major cultural areas too?
At the risk of offensiveness, I can see how it might not be (or have been) a core assumption in India (with the caste system). Of course I’m no expert on the culture or history of the area so it’s entirely possible that this is just another way of working to make all individual lives better. (Brand, your my philosophical Indian reference guy… ;) )
The point here is that this is something I think is interesting to notice. Most political discussions I get into are with Americans, and thus they are all dominated by this assumption. Everyone has their own way of demonstrating the value of the individual. But it seems like we all share this unexamined assumption.
Of course my guess is that after I examine it thoroughly I’ll stand by it. I happen to like a lot of the implications of it myself. I guess I just wanted to share. In part so that if I one day come back and read this I can go ‘I remember that time in my life’, and in part because perhaps you will find it interesting too.
Thomas
We should have a talk about this sometime.
In short: I don’t believe you.
yrs–
–Ben
The point of the caste system, such as it can be said to have a point other than gross exploitation by the upper class, in this context would be something like “By being part of the whole first the individual will get inevitable benifits afterwards.”
So where we tent to think that lots of strong individuals will make a happy society, the tendancy in Indian thought is that a strong society will make happy individuals.
Sure. You know where to catch me. I definitely want to talk it over with you.
Thomas
I thought it might be something like that, but wasn’t really sure. Thanks!
Thomas