One of the unspoken areas of conflict in our society is that of the question of unfettered liberty, which most recently has emerged in the fight over vaccines against serious illnesses such as measles. The basic question is whether if individuals can act only in their own self-interest will that destroy the interest of the whole.
Framed as “the tragedy of the commons” by ecologist Garret Hardin in his 1968 essay by the same name, it is perhaps the major reason we have laws and regulations, often abhorred by libertarians. However, the question remains for all of us: to what extent do we give up an individual desire for the good of society.
After all, if people live together then there must be an agreement that shared interests must temper our individual desires – not needs but desires. Curbing the results of unfettered greed by corporate interests or unfettered power by political ones then is really essential to our common life, which is exemplified by the moral commands we profess to live by, such as caring for both people and the earth.
Prayer for the Day
Spinning in the universe, you created the earth, O God,
Which seems so vast yet is still so small;
Living not as hermits, but with others, O Lord,
You call us to care for each other and our world.
Be with us, O Holy One, as we struggle with our limits
For often we only think of our own desires.
In the name of the One who calls us tto care for each other
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
That which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it. Every one thinks chiefly of his own, hardly at all of the common interest; and only when he is himself concerned as an individual.
Aristotle, Greek philosopher from Politics (384-322 BCE)
The tragedy of the commons reveals that what is good for the individual is at odds with what is good for all. This is the basic logic of collective action problems. We see a similar logic in the case of vaccines. If most get vaccinated, then everyone will be better off. . . .[and] legislation to toughen up on vaccine exemptions is an important first step.
Hastings Center on Bioethics
For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters;
Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence,
But through love become as servants to one another.
For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment,
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Paul in his letter to the Galatians 5 13-14