Interdependence versus independence
From a sociological perspective I am fascinated by the fact that many in the United States ((possibly also in other countries) are convinced that they have the right to risk getting infected with covid-19 even if this mean that they will die. Some go so far as to assert that their family has the same right. Even significant numbers of unrelated people assert their right to resume the old normal, not wear a mask and not maintain social distance or other safely protocols. Some of these very same individuals, families and groups of people maintain that if they get sick and die that is there right. This thinking seems to me to be flawed in the following respects:
It seems as if those advocating for this “right” are frequently the same individuals who believe that abortion is always wrong because they believe that person exist from the moment of conception. They may also believe that homosexual love is wrong and somehow affects them.
It would seem that many of us humans simultaneously believe:
The closest one comes to not directly affecting others is if one is living by themselves in a very isolated place – a hermit like life - and only has interaction with animals living in the wild. Yet, even then the actions of that person does affect the ecology long term, however minimally in the short run.
I recall when living in Southeast Alaska many families arrived from “down under” and built a home in a very remote location so that they would live independently. Yet, they used the services a teacher who guided them in homeschooling their children, bought some supplies from others and when a family member became sick expected the coast guard to respond when they needed to transport the sick family to a medical facility. It was not possible to ignore the fact that medical help was available. I cannot recall, but I suspect that a short wave radio or other piece of equipment manufactured outside their enclave was used to communicate with the coast guard.
Obviously, in order for the medical service to be available a group of people had to make the facilities a manifest reality.
I am not herein attempting to address the more scientific debate about whether long term the society, as a whole, benefits more from shelter in place or from staying with the old normal. One has to consider the effects of shelter in place on the economic system and on the availability of essentials such as food, housing, and medical care. Very reasonable, non-self-serving people are engaging in that debate.
Wanting to return to the relative freedom and safely of the old normal is understandable. Restrictions on nearly every aspect of life is a nuisance at best. On the other hand, making decisions based on the reality that our behavior is seldom, if ever, in complete isolation - affects only us and no one else- is what social beings do. We are social beings who live within systems which are part of larger systems. We are, of necessity, interdependent. Pretending otherwise does not serve the reality of individuals or society
Written May 26, 2020
Jimmy F. Pickett, LPC, AAADC
coachpickett.org
From a sociological perspective I am fascinated by the fact that many in the United States ((possibly also in other countries) are convinced that they have the right to risk getting infected with covid-19 even if this mean that they will die. Some go so far as to assert that their family has the same right. Even significant numbers of unrelated people assert their right to resume the old normal, not wear a mask and not maintain social distance or other safely protocols. Some of these very same individuals, families and groups of people maintain that if they get sick and die that is there right. This thinking seems to me to be flawed in the following respects:
- One can be infected, asymptomatic for some time and still infect others.
- Many do not believe that parents or guardians have the right to make these decisions for children and others,
It seems as if those advocating for this “right” are frequently the same individuals who believe that abortion is always wrong because they believe that person exist from the moment of conception. They may also believe that homosexual love is wrong and somehow affects them.
It would seem that many of us humans simultaneously believe:
- One’s behavior does not affect others and is no one’s business.
- One’ s behavior affects others and is the business of others
The closest one comes to not directly affecting others is if one is living by themselves in a very isolated place – a hermit like life - and only has interaction with animals living in the wild. Yet, even then the actions of that person does affect the ecology long term, however minimally in the short run.
I recall when living in Southeast Alaska many families arrived from “down under” and built a home in a very remote location so that they would live independently. Yet, they used the services a teacher who guided them in homeschooling their children, bought some supplies from others and when a family member became sick expected the coast guard to respond when they needed to transport the sick family to a medical facility. It was not possible to ignore the fact that medical help was available. I cannot recall, but I suspect that a short wave radio or other piece of equipment manufactured outside their enclave was used to communicate with the coast guard.
Obviously, in order for the medical service to be available a group of people had to make the facilities a manifest reality.
I am not herein attempting to address the more scientific debate about whether long term the society, as a whole, benefits more from shelter in place or from staying with the old normal. One has to consider the effects of shelter in place on the economic system and on the availability of essentials such as food, housing, and medical care. Very reasonable, non-self-serving people are engaging in that debate.
Wanting to return to the relative freedom and safely of the old normal is understandable. Restrictions on nearly every aspect of life is a nuisance at best. On the other hand, making decisions based on the reality that our behavior is seldom, if ever, in complete isolation - affects only us and no one else- is what social beings do. We are social beings who live within systems which are part of larger systems. We are, of necessity, interdependent. Pretending otherwise does not serve the reality of individuals or society
Written May 26, 2020
Jimmy F. Pickett, LPC, AAADC
coachpickett.org
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