Nearly three million years ago, Homo Habilis, one of our earliest ancestors, were wary of anyone who were different in any way, shape, or form, namely those who didn’t look, act, or belong with them. For them, the ability to be cautious towards “the other” could very much have been the difference between life and death. The human condition has been prevalent in our society since the rise of the Homo species. It has been the silent voice in the back of our mind and it has been instrumental in shaping our actions and ourselves throughout history, and even today. Stains, In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd, The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas, and The Blade Runner all reveal important truths about human nature, especially our relationship with “the
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by Ursula Le Guin, the idea of the rationalization of inhumane actions in an attempt to justify them is discussed continuously. In the city of Omelas, everyone is undeniably happy 100% of the time. There is a “magnificent Farmers’ Market”. smiles, music, and the Festival of Summer. However, the happiness of the entire population is completely dependent on a single child’s ongoing suffering. All the citizens of Omelas are aware of the existence of this little boy. Once citizens are old enough to know the truth, most, though initially shocked and disgusted, ultimately acquiesce with that one injustice which secures the happiness of the rest of the city. Although, they feel anger and disgust and they would like to do something for the child, they have convinced themselves that there is nothing they can do. They have made themselves believe that the child “is too degraded and imbecile to know any real joy. It has been afraid too long ever to be free of fear. Its habits are too uncouth for it to respond to humane treatment”. Furthermore, another way that the citizens of Omelas try to rationalize their inhumane actions through undue justification is when they explain how Omelas and its citizens would actually be in a worst situation if they were “to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one”. As a result, the rationalization of inhumane actions is a form of self-protection that sets the minds of the citizens at ease and allows them to be able to live with their selfish
by Ursula Le Guin, the idea of the rationalization of inhumane actions in an attempt to justify them is discussed continuously. In the city of Omelas, everyone is undeniably happy 100% of the time. There is a “magnificent Farmers’ Market”. smiles, music, and the Festival of Summer. However, the happiness of the entire population is completely dependent on a single child’s ongoing suffering. All the citizens of Omelas are aware of the existence of this little boy. Once citizens are old enough to know the truth, most, though initially shocked and disgusted, ultimately acquiesce with that one injustice which secures the happiness of the rest of the city. Although, they feel anger and disgust and they would like to do something for the child, they have convinced themselves that there is nothing they can do. They have made themselves believe that the child “is too degraded and imbecile to know any real joy. It has been afraid too long ever to be free of fear. Its habits are too uncouth for it to respond to humane treatment”. Furthermore, another way that the citizens of Omelas try to rationalize their inhumane actions through undue justification is when they explain how Omelas and its citizens would actually be in a worst situation if they were “to throw away the happiness of thousands for the chance of the happiness of one”. As a result, the rationalization of inhumane actions is a form of self-protection that sets the minds of the citizens at ease and allows them to be able to live with their selfish