Cynicism or Faith
In a time of social fragmentation,
vulgarity often becomes away of life .To be shocking becomes more
important –and often more profitable-than to be civil or creative or truly original. Given the degree of
vulgarity in our society, cynicism seems almost irresistible. Sometimes is even looks like a refuge of sanity, a rational response to a world seemingly driven by the fast hustle, the pseudo-event , the rage for sensationalism.
But cynicism represents a secession from society, a dissolution of the bonds between people and families and communities, an indifference to the fate of anything, beyond the self.
Cynicism is deadly. It bites everything it can reach- like a dog with a foot caught in a trap . And then it devours itself .It drains us of the will to improve; it diminishes our public spirit; it saps our inventiveness; it withers our souls. Cynics often see themselves as merely being world-weary. There is no new thing under the sun, the cynics say. They claim that their
weariness is wisdom. But it is usually merely posturing. Their weariness seems to be most beneath them, who have neither power nor influence nor wealth. For these unfortunates, nothing can be done , the cynics declare.
Hope is considered an affront to rationality; the notion that the individual has a responsibility for the community is considered a dangerous radicalism. And those who toil in quiet places and for little reward to lift up the fallen, to comfort the afflicted, and to protect the weak are regarded as fools.
Ultimately , however, the life of a cynic is lonely and self- destructive.
It is our human nature to make connections with other human beings. The gift of sympathy for one another is one of the most powerful sentiments we ever feel. If we do not have it, we are not human. Indeed it is so powerful that the cynic who denies is goes to war with himself.
Author of
CYNICISM OR FAITH?
By AL GORE
Book personal excellence
extract by arun kumar