Common Moral Obligation

I find the tribalism in our current culture to be not only disturbing, but a sure-fire way to destroy our common life together. If we are to survive the current situation, together, then we need to re-appropriate an understanding of our common humanity.

I feel no need to defend my assertion that we currently live in a culture that is divided into "tribes." We are tribal. I will add to that the assertion that part of the responsibility for this situation lies at the feet of those who have placed so much emphasis on groups and group identity. This emphasis was and is needed. There is no doubt that some groups have flourished, while other groups have suffered. As a result of this imbalance, it was necessary to emphasize the needs of certain groups. But, as with all good things, this much needed emphasis has taken on a life of it's own and become extreme.

I am probably repeating myself, but we no longer hear talk of our common human nature, or our common humanity. Now, some might argue that there was good reason for trying to eliminate such talk. The argument being that talk of a common humanity has been used in the past to ignore the needs and sufferings of certain groups. Moreover, the very idea of a common human nature is a product of western thought. And, so the argument goes, it is western hegemony that is the root cause of all the sufferings of so many groups.

Again, I don't necessarily disagree with that argument. What I find problematic is that the argument, as it has been propagated, has ignored a very basic truth, i.e. we are all human and as humans we have things in common. The fact is, all humans have some basic needs, e.g. food, shelter, relationship, meaning, purpose, etc. This truth seems so basic that it needs no arguing. But, more importantly, there is a common assumption about all human members of all human groups that is assumed by those who place strict emphasis on the group, but is hardly ever acknowledged.

The common assumption I have in mind is that all humans have a right to be treated with dignity and justice. Likewise, everyone has a common moral obligation to treat others with dignity and in a just way. No one currently argues for any of this, so much as assumes it. Those who argue on behalf of specific groups assume that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and justice, even when they make arguments against western thought. Likewise, they assume everyone has a common duty to treat others with dignity and in a just way. So, there is this silent appeal to what we all assume. Since this is the case, we have what we need to re-appropriate the reality of our common humanity.

There is an unmistakable divisiveness to this current trend that focuses solely on one's group and group identity. This divisiveness is beginning to replace-if it hasn't already-a certain amount of cohesiveness that any society depends on. It seems hardly possible that we can continue down this divisive road without incurring consequences that will effect all groups, without exception. The reality is this: we have a common life together and even our lives in groups depend on this common life together. And let's face it, we can talk about distinct groups as well as our common humanity without contradiction. Both are realities and both need our attention.