Morality is Ironic
Maybe people who meditate for an hour/day are happier because they live a life that affords them a hour/day to meditate.
I had this amusing, almost ironic realization the other day, and I just had to share it with y’all. You know, in between my usual bouts of overthinking and my penchant for misplacing my key fob.
Let's talk about Rian. Picture him: a carpenter, the embodiment of virtues like hard work and kindness. He's the kind of guy who, despite struggling to make ends meet, would still donate to a cause. A real stand-up guy. But here's the twist: life wasn't always a series of hurdles for Rian. There was a time when he was rolling in dough, living the good life. But then, as life loves to do, it threw him a curveball. His wife passed away, and suddenly, the narrative changed. Rian, with all his virtues, was tested in ways he never imagined.
Fast forward a bit, and Rian’s out of a job. Things are looking bleak. And then, the universe, with its wicked sense of humor, dangles an apple in front of him. Not his apple, mind you. The dilemma? To steal or not to steal. Quite the Shakespearean conundrum, right?
Now, enter Hardik. Mr. Moneybags. The kind of guy who probably has a gold-plated toothbrush. He's never stolen a thing in his life, and why would he? If Hardik, from his ivory tower, were to judge Rian for eyeing that apple, it'd be like a fish criticizing a bird for flying. But here's where it gets interesting: what if Hardik, with all his billions, was in Rian’s shoes and chose not to take the apple? Suddenly, his words might carry some weight. But until then, it's just a rich guy telling a hungry guy not to eat.
This whole train of thought made me chuckle. The irony of it all! It's like those who've never been tested wearing the judge's robe. Morality, in many ways, feels like a luxury item, available only to those who can afford it. But then again, isn't there something powerful about a moral compass that doesn't waver, even when the storm hits?
All I’m saying is that judging the morality of another person in concept is ironic most of the time. To put it simply morality is a privilege because it's often those individuals who have been fortunate enough to never face situations that challenge their moral compass who often maintain an unblemished sense of right and wrong.
You could also argue that morality is an anti-privilege. The more unfortunate you are to have morally challenging circumstances the more power your morals have when they remain intact.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not here advocating for a life of crime or saying circumstances justify all actions. I'm just marveling at the irony of life and how quick we are to judge from our comfortable perches.
Anyway, these are just my thoughts, sprinkled with a dash of irony. Who knows, maybe tomorrow I'll be pondering the philosophical implications of toast. Until then, keep smiling and questioning everything. Cheers!
October Recap
