The takeover by stealth of Utilitarian thinking means that we are now a people that thinks the idea of society having winners and losers is inevitable. We measure everything from the number of steps we take to the length of our sleep and how many seven year olds can spell the word \u2018turnip\u2019.<\/p>\n
As a result, we are losing the ability to talk about the things that cannot be measured. And if the world is governed according to the edict \u201cwhat gets measured gets done\u201d, we may be neglecting some of the most important things about being human. Like love.<\/p>\n
You\u2019re probably thinking \u2018I\u2019m not a utilitarian\u2019. Even if you\u2019re not utilitarian, think of what you mean by justice. Usually you mean fairness, you get back what you put in. It is unjust not to be paid what you are worth. I\u2019m just thinking of the BBC gender pay gap.<\/p>\n
In a way, some forms of Christianity, certainly the ones that I have been involved in, contribute to this too. The Low Anglican tradition that I love deeply teaches a transactional salvation. We are distinguished from animals by virtue of consciousness, self\u2013reflection, moral capacity, the act of repentance. I have literally no idea if that is right or wrong but it does appear to be a kind of cost\u2013benefit, quid pro quo.<\/p>\n
If the point of our lives is what we are capable of doing then the implication must be that a human life lacking in the capacity for purposive action will be worthless, pointless. Those who are involved in the lives of people with disabilities disagree. Our insider experience tells us differently.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Extraordinary lecture \u2018Human Dignity, Different Lives & the Illusions of Choice\u2019 from Sally Phillips tonight @Theosthinktank<\/a> \u201cWhat if the meaning of our lives is nothing to do with what we *do* at all, but with surrender, acceptance and love?\u201d pic.twitter.com\/8fxcgHX0Y8<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Tim Jones (@jonestdotorg) November 27, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n