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Dying without a thought



One of the greatest thinkers of the twentieth century, Bertrand Russell, said, “Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.” A lion’s share of the evils in the human world could be pre-empted if people started making use of their thinking faculty.

When I returned home an hour ago after dropping Maggie at her workplace, Kittu, my cat, accompanied me from the car porch as he usually does and entered the house even before I did. He has inculcated a sense of entitlement, thanks to my pampering as Maggie alleges. He did something odd today. Instead of going to one of his usual places to sleep, he climbed on to the chair which I normally use for working with my laptop. He went to sleep within seconds. He usurped my place without a second thought.
 
Kittu: Self-contentment
Well, there’s no first thought either for him. Like Walt Whitman, I always end up envying his thoughtless self-contentment. Whitman wished to be like the animals. “They are so placid,” he said. “They do not sweat and whine about their condition … Not one kneels to another,” not even to any god.

But we human beings can’t do that, of course.  We have a more complex mind. So we sit and calculate the gains and losses of our loves. We calculate our neighbours’ gains and losses even more meticulously. We are so much concerned about their gods and totems, their ups and downs, their lifestyle or lack of style. And then we mess up our lives and theirs too. We give sweet names to all that mess: like patriotism, nationalism, gau raksha, and so on.

And these patriots and nationalists are always absolutely certain of themselves while wise people are full of doubts and hesitations. Of course, there’s always been a particular breed of people who rush in where angels fear to tread.  I wish those people would start exercising their thinking faculty. Just a wish; nothing in wrong in wishing, right?




Comments

  1. Vinay NagarajuMay 9, 2019 at 5:34 PM

    "while wise people are full of doubts and hesitations". This explains an awful lot, stupidity seems to have a louder voice. In a society, a crying baby seems to get more attention. I have seen this in a working set up, fundamentalist mindset and limiting beliefs. I don't understand the power of herd mentality, but it is very persuasive and prevalent in its establishment. Right from vehement supporters to violent mentalities - I guess that describes death much sooner than it can actually happen. If growth and improvement is stunted, that pretty is death isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalMay 10, 2019 at 6:54 AM

      It's easier to go with the herd, thinking is not needed at all. Moreover you get a feeling that there's a whole group to support you. This outlook has been reinforced by present day nationalists too.

      Delete
  2. Rajeev MoothedathMay 9, 2019 at 7:13 PM

    "And then we mess up our lives and theirs too."- Nice comparison with the cat. They just live in the moment.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tomichan MatheikalMay 10, 2019 at 6:56 AM

      Precisely. And they are contented too. My cat teaches me some nice lessons.

      Delete

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