dB CooperI think moral injury is a real thing. It’s been described since the ancient Greek philosophers.
But I think we all have it. In this world? Under capitalism? How could we not?
The only people who aren’t bearing moral injury are sociopaths.
As for reassuring people that they’re not failing, they’re being brutalized - they’re being brutalized into failing. You can’t hold yourself apart from the general disaster, because you’re making it happen, even though you don’t want to. That’s why this is so bad. Nobody’s hands are clean, nobody is free of fault, we are all diminished. Even if we see clearly and know what is happening, we are all guilty
David J. Atkinson@CoolerPseudonym Thanks for posting this article. I agree, “moral injury” is a real thing. The article talks about people who feel guilt, or something like it, for actions of their own. I would have liked to learn more about those who suffer because they did not or do not act, for whatever reason. Or those who feel revulsion at what might be required of them, either through action or by acquiescence.
For example, consider #climatechange , an existential threat. /1
@CoolerPseudonym An effective response to the #ClimateCrisis requires humanity to stop adding greenhouse gases (GHG) to the atmosphere. No fossil fuels. There are people who personally, through their own action, benefit from and contribute to worsening #ClimateChange , e.g., #fossilfuels owners, execs, politicians and many others. I feel moral injury due to THEIR behavior. They will not change. I feel moral injury because they must be compelled to stop. /2
@CoolerPseudonym …and this is likely to require use of force. I am exceptionally angry that I am put into the box of having to wish these powerful people ill (i.e., whatever it takes to stop #fossilfuels ). Is that a moral injury? I grieve for my grandchildren and all people who come after us because humankind has been so foolish that we have possibly doomed life on Earth. Surely that is moral injury?
Enough. It is too painful. We have all contributed to this dilemma.
Alan Langford 🇨🇦🧤🧊摏@CoolerPseudonym Sociopathy can be a response to this.