Sympathy and the self

A fire breaks out next door. You run out of the house and ensure nobody is trapped by fire.

All is well, nobody perishes but your poor neighbour loses everything, everything they owned. Plus, their cat is nowhere to be seen. He was not inside.

A week passes and now your perspective turns inwards. The burnt-out house is an eyesore, but more importantly your utilities are affected. When will things be sorted out? You understand their problems and they have problems galore, but you want your life to return to how it was. You dread the building works that are set to take place soon. Untold sets of inconveniences heading your way.

We see this the world over. Whilst a war is raging somewhere, others are battling the logistical difficulties that the war brings them. Peoples’ lives in peril vs your lifestyle dented.

The cat got out of the house in good time. He wandered off and found a new source of food. The burnt-out home is now a home of the past and set to be forgotten about. We humans are little different when it comes to our indifference we show towards the troubles others endure. Short lived sympathy. Most of our focus will always remain on ourselves. Some of course will enjoy the satisfaction of helping those in need. Nevertheless, our own lives will always matter the most. Knowing that can help us decide what works best in the political arena.