Are people really apathetic about other people's suffering?

Question

This the question ask from our professor about the poem, Musee des Beaux Arts. She said: "How can you sleep at night when other people are suffering?"

Answer 1

A Few Years Ago I had a Stroke, lost my real estate development business, along with two other sizeable interests, I went from a millionaire boy wonder, to a broke recluse; and eventually broke out by mowing peoples lawns, other odd jobs. Some of my old friends would drive by and stop,and ask me, " did you buy this place?", "Are you making a comeback?" I would answer honestly," No, this is what I do for a living now. They would smile nervously,and simply say " Well, good luck to you!" None of my friends would call, eventually they would stop speaking or avoid me altogether. My point is this. I used to think that people in general were apathetic about suffering, and what I thought was suffering and loss cannot even begin to compare with true suffering everyday, far worse, and unimaginable than my own. What I came to realize, and it provided a great deal of comfort and understanding toward my fellow human beings is this. It is not so much that people are apathetic, it is simply that the magnitude of many of the sufferings we see, many created by our own government, just seem so big that people become paralyzed because they perceive whatever contribution they could make to ease suffering, is not enough, or they don't know where to begin. It is not that they don't care, It is in fact the opposite in most cases. It is that people have little belief in the value of their contribution really making a difference. My friends didn't abandon me, they saw my problems as something bigger that they could meaningfully help solve, and their lack of belief in the value of what they might have done to help, as worthless. I believe now it was also very painful for them as well. Think about the last time a friend or loved one was in pain, or truly suffering, and you felt impotent to help them.? It is not that you were apathetic, but lost as to how to help, and therefor you suffered as well. In closing, here is a truism, a mother bird will guard her nest, and her young, to the death with another predator bird. but let a raccoon invade the nest, and the mother birds flight instinct kicks in, and will remain just out of reach of harms way herself, paralyzed, literally on what to do to save her young. As advanced as humans are, I think we have a similar nature. Its not that people are apathetic, it is that they care, but their lack of belief in the value of their contributions, paralyzes them into inaction, and they suffer as well. Knowing this, or at least choosing to see a better side of man, allows me to sleep at night, and try again the next day!

Answer 2

The thing that's usually blocking us from helping someone is fear.

You see a guy on the street, tired, and sweaty. His cars a little busted, and you speed by him without stopping. The thing that's stopping you isn't your car, or that you're in a hurry, it's fear. We don't notice it, but it is there.

Now, flip it. You're the dude with the busted car. When someone comes and asks, "you need a ride?". Depending on how much times you've seen a kid on the news get kidnapped, you'd probably see no. That's because as a society, we are too afraid to help. You have that constant "what if" phrase in your head. "What if I get kidnapped? What if I get killed? What if I end up like that kid?"

But, (SHOCKER) there's always a possibility that the dude that's asking you if you need help is indeed, a murderer. We are all blinded by lies. The dude that's begging you for a dollar may be rich. Instead of giving him/her a dollar, give them a spare taco or something. They can't return tacos for money, so even if they are lying, they get a full stomache. Which in the end, is a plus for your karma. ;)

Answer 3

Of course they are.

Try this experiment.

Buy a newspaper. Read about all the suffering.
Now, stay awake all week worrying.

Buy another newspaper. See if the suffering has gone away?

It hasn't?!? Go figure.

Now get some sleep. Cancel your subscription.
If you must worry, do it during the day ...
...and stick to friends, family and finances.

Answer 4

originally, no. but i think that after hearing about so many depressing things it just becomes a statistic and people kind of forget that there are humans suffering, and its real they arent just numbers. living in the us its easy to forget because we dont see the suffering that goes on in 3rd world countries . also, people probably feel like they cant do anything anyway so why bother even though if people join together they could make a difference

Answer 5

I think ppl aren;t apethitic but they are glad in a way that they are not suffering. SO no, people do care about other ppl's sufferings in the way of self envy. It's like when someone gets into a bad car crash and everyone slows down...

Answer 6

If you don't sleep and you sit worrying about others,you will become one of the suffering.Help who you can.It's all any of us can do.