I think that this author’s example of the older sibling wishing they didn’t have the burden of being the only person their wayward younger sibling would listen to is very relatable and makes his point well. I struggle, though, when he goes on to extrapolate to issues like the climate crisis and extinction events. Sure, we can make or not make decisions in our personal lives that can be more environmentally friendly or save the life of an individual animal, but we really don’t have power beyond that, and the impact of those decisions is infinitesimally small in comparison to the magnitude of the issue. So, I think the desire for/aversion to control is kind of beside the point when it comes to such macro issues. Maybe I’m missing something, though?
becauseimbizarre t1_isc56lj wrote
Reply to The Desire for Moral Impotence by ADefiniteDescription
I think that this author’s example of the older sibling wishing they didn’t have the burden of being the only person their wayward younger sibling would listen to is very relatable and makes his point well. I struggle, though, when he goes on to extrapolate to issues like the climate crisis and extinction events. Sure, we can make or not make decisions in our personal lives that can be more environmentally friendly or save the life of an individual animal, but we really don’t have power beyond that, and the impact of those decisions is infinitesimally small in comparison to the magnitude of the issue. So, I think the desire for/aversion to control is kind of beside the point when it comes to such macro issues. Maybe I’m missing something, though?