The Evil in Apathy

"Hate is not the opposite of love, apathy is," as Rollo May once put it.

If we define "the common good" as the pursuit of what is in our best interests as well as those around you, apathy is to be defined as intrinsically evil. It is not within malevolent intentions that we can find society's undoing, but within apathy. As I see it, apathy is more dangerous to the common good than anger, hatred, and fear.

Regardless of how you believe we came to receive them; whether through God, evolution, or some other method, humanity has been given gifts to promote the well-being of society as a whole. Love, anger, fear, guilt, remorse, all defining traits of a man who cares. Whether you like it or not, these among other emotions drive almost every single action and decision you make, and for good reason. The drive to act is nothing to be ashamed of, and inevitably intellect alone can only get you so far. It is the passion, will, motivation, and most importantly, care, that at the beginning (see what I did there) of the day should allow you to roll out of bed and accomplish great things.

James A. Baldwin once said, "The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose." I'd like to amend that statement if possible, "The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who cares for nothing," is a far more accurate proclamation. If a man has nothing to lose it most likely means he has nowhere to go but upwards. A man who cares for nothing, however, suffers a far worse fate.

A man who cares for nothing may be driven only by the most shallow of self-pleasure. This is, unfortunately, the best case scenario. Apathy can just as easily lead to a self-perpetuating cycle of depression. Add a drug addiction to the mix, and the possibilities of monsters that might be created are quantitatively endless. It's a simple equation: suicide, depression, addiction, loss of productivity and fulfillment; these symptoms of apathy inevitably lead to a lack of will to act. This lack of will derived ultimately from apathy is the evil that undoes society.

While parasites such as depression and addiction can be measured among a populous, most estimations of how widespread a general sense of apathy in society has become is just that: anecdotal. In my short journey through life, however, I've come to believe the number of people afflicted with existential apathy not only troubling, but growing. I imagine many readers here will feel strongly one way or the other.

I must admit, I hate being the guy who brings up a problem and offers no solution as it generally comes across as complaining. At the same time however, I am not a messiah who can ride around on a unicorn giving people reasons to care about anything.

I wanted to share my thoughts on apathy in society and the evil it presents with you, and I hope you were able to take something away from my writing. If so, my intention is fulfilled.

Thanks y'all and have a great day :)