Are pet lovers idealistic? or Are they some what misanthropic? or They understand the meaning of life better? I don't know the answer. I am thinking. Trying to think without being biased by Max - yeah right.
(And I think it's impossible for those of us with pets to come up with an unbiased answer.)
I think, as with everything, each pet lover is an individual and some may be idealistic while others are not.
In my own case, I know that having pets (many cats over the years and a few dogs; we currently have two Border Collies, two cats, and some chickens and ducks) has cultivated in me deeper empathy and compassion than I think I would have without them. And that's a very good thing.
Thank you for the great comment. Yes, I do wonder sometimes if I live in bubble seeing the world through the eyes of Max. Nevertheless, its real. No matter what, it's a reality and I feel and live it everyday. Is it idealistic simply because its beautiful? Ironically, considerable amount of the population in the world doesn't have this view. Is reality based on utilitarianism? I don't think so. I know, I am biased because of Max but aren't others who never experienced the love of an animal biased by not experiencing it? Our vindication is at least we lived and experienced both worlds. Doesn't that make us better candidate to answer this question? It's a difficult question and I would love more inputs. It's an individual decision and experience like you mentioned. Empathy the animals shower on us is priceless and it has the power to change the world. That's one of the main reasons for us to share what we feel and keep the ripple alive. Someday it will be universally self evident.
2 comments:
What a great question, Balaji!
(And I think it's impossible for those of us with pets to come up with an unbiased answer.)
I think, as with everything, each pet lover is an individual and some may be idealistic while others are not.
In my own case, I know that having pets (many cats over the years and a few dogs; we currently have two Border Collies, two cats, and some chickens and ducks) has cultivated in me deeper empathy and compassion than I think I would have without them. And that's a very good thing.
Thank you for the great comment.
Yes, I do wonder sometimes if I live in bubble seeing the world through the eyes of Max. Nevertheless, its real. No matter what, it's a reality and I feel and live it everyday. Is it idealistic simply because its beautiful?
Ironically, considerable amount of the population in the world doesn't have this view. Is reality based on utilitarianism? I don't think so.
I know, I am biased because of Max but aren't others who never experienced the love of an animal biased by not experiencing it? Our vindication is at least we lived and experienced both worlds. Doesn't that make us better candidate to answer this question? It's a difficult question and I would love more inputs.
It's an individual decision and experience like you mentioned. Empathy the animals shower on us is priceless and it has the power to change the world. That's one of the main reasons for us to share what we feel and keep the ripple alive. Someday it will be universally self evident.
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