My interest in compassion was awakened by Brexit. Not just the
appalling way in which the worst aspects of our humanity became apparent – stirring
mistrust and dislike of the foreigner and violence and fear of refugees, but
the way in which appeal seemed to be made to our baser, selfish instincts.
Many of the popular political figures adopted an attitude of ‘us first’, which chimes with ‘me first’. It’s not easy to change these basic instincts that appeal to our ‘selfish gene’ (if there is one) and the pull of selfishness can be strong. But the way in which Europe seemed to be encouraging member states to set aside such attitudes and work for the common good seemed laudable. And it wasn’t as if others weren’t invited to ‘join the club’; indeed, it appears that as poorer European nations were welcomed into the ‘club ‘so people began to encourage us to fear them and have them excluded. Any notion that our country was shaped by ‘Christian values’ was thrown out of the window and whilst the notion was appealed to, it became apparent that it was for tribal reasons.
Compassion for the other was undermined by an appeal to fear, mistrust and dislike. All this seems connected to the pull of individualism and appeals to that primary individualistic motive which is connected with the pre-adult phase in human development. People are encouraged to pursue private goals rather than the common good, promoted by those who are attracted by a certain brand of politics. Any concern for the wider good is countered by the promise of greater wealth - something Christians in particular should beware.
There's ano obvious danger here, one that much Catholic social teaching warns us about
Wecan seethe wider implications as those driven by the this individualistic creed show scant concern for those in need unless it serves their interests. Competitiveness trumps cooperation and our moral imperative becomes forgotten .
Many of the popular political figures adopted an attitude of ‘us first’, which chimes with ‘me first’. It’s not easy to change these basic instincts that appeal to our ‘selfish gene’ (if there is one) and the pull of selfishness can be strong. But the way in which Europe seemed to be encouraging member states to set aside such attitudes and work for the common good seemed laudable. And it wasn’t as if others weren’t invited to ‘join the club’; indeed, it appears that as poorer European nations were welcomed into the ‘club ‘so people began to encourage us to fear them and have them excluded. Any notion that our country was shaped by ‘Christian values’ was thrown out of the window and whilst the notion was appealed to, it became apparent that it was for tribal reasons.
Compassion for the other was undermined by an appeal to fear, mistrust and dislike. All this seems connected to the pull of individualism and appeals to that primary individualistic motive which is connected with the pre-adult phase in human development. People are encouraged to pursue private goals rather than the common good, promoted by those who are attracted by a certain brand of politics. Any concern for the wider good is countered by the promise of greater wealth - something Christians in particular should beware.
There's ano obvious danger here, one that much Catholic social teaching warns us about
Wecan seethe wider implications as those driven by the this individualistic creed show scant concern for those in need unless it serves their interests. Competitiveness trumps cooperation and our moral imperative becomes forgotten .
