Is it bad that I seem to care more about a sick kitten than I do most people? Sometimes I think it is.
But, on the other hand, the kitten only cried for help. He didn't hold me at cop-point and threaten my life if I didn't help him. I'm more willing to help someone who isn't giving me an order; who isn't making threats.
Hypothetically, I care more about other humans than animals. But that hypothetical keeps running into reality-- people who advocate violating my life, liberty, and property either through freelance crime or through legislation. It's hard to care about people who demand I be sacrificed on their altar to selfishness.
However... I do care about other people, and caring about other people means it hurts me when others are violated. Never forget, advocating for the violation of one means advocating for the violation of all.
If I didn't care about people, I wouldn't be a libertarian or an anarchist or a Voluntaryist or an abolitionist (whichever term floats your banana). But I am because I do care. Even when it's hard. Even when it doesn't show as clearly as it should.
PS: I sincerely thank the two readers who chipped in toward the kitten's expenses. It means a lot to me and to my daughter. It helps remind me that people are worth caring about.
You make an excellent point. The kitten may pee on your rug at some point but he'll never archate on your rug. Well, he might tell you what to do at times but all cats do that. He still won't hire someone to point a weapon at you. I care about people too, and like you it's why I hold the values I do, but some animals make it a heck of a lot easier to care about them!
ReplyDeleteCalling an aggressive person an "animal" always seemed insulting to animals. Even the wild animals I've encountered that would have hurt me given the chance didn't do it because they were choosing to commit evil-- they were just following their nature, and not understanding the lack of a threat I posed. I can't say the same about the people who have chosen to attempt to hurt me.
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