On Nature and Escapism

Hello Readers,

In any world, there are many worlds associated with it. We associate with not only the present world in our daily interaction, but also with the worlds of history and eschatology. It is in these different types of interactions that we learn more about why our world is the way it is. From the past we learn lessons from past worlds about relationship, interaction, and how people lived simpler and harder lives all at the same time. Things we find natural in our environment today are only there because of events/choices in the past that enable people to have the convenience to have what seems natural to us. Plumbing, warm showers, sliced bread, all of these are innovations which have not always been. These conveniences come naturally to us now but are really the result of the hard work, inventions, and environmental gift of many people and ecospheres. The point of this is that our present world with all of its natures takes place because of the events in a past world and its nature. This is a healthy recourse of examining choices and learning from our mistakes to promote the common good.

However, there are potential issues of idolizing a particular time in the past, or a particular world one encounters in fantasy that may have lessons to teach us about love, charity, and mercy, but when idolized and obsessed about people lose sight of the common good in their own world by losing ability to relate to the present world's own nature. We call this phenomenon escapism. Escpaism is common as it is a coping mechanism to deal with problems in the present world, either with the world itself or its nature. Everyone has some level of escapism, as we all have hobbies that bring us to different worlds and realities. In addition, everyone needs a release from the stresses of life. There are a lot of things about the present world and its nature that are problematic as I've discussed on other blog entries. However, the balance becomes when does this escapism either through history or fantasy become unhealthy. When does it harm the common good not to be alert to this present world and its nature?

1) If escapism causes people to lose sight of the common good, then it becomes a problem. In other words, in escapism if people are not attentive to real world concerns for the sake of preserving the fantasy/history world, then escapism is immoral. People in the real world suffer, and needs must be accounted for in some way, if they arise.

2) If escapism actually causes people to harm each other in any way, then it is a problem. Escapism causes people to enter a different world, thus their character allows them to do things they might not otherwise do in the present world and its nature. While Sartre would argue this is people acting in bad faith, that's besides the point here. (Bad faith is when a person acts against their own self by acting in character differently then they would in the present, real world.) The issue at stake is what happens when characters act in ways that harm other people in the other world and how does that affect people's reality in the real world. Of course, some people will argue that we need to be able to have jokes and make fun for escapism's sake, to not be so serious. However, when that fun causes harm to the other, then there is an issue, as that does not just stay in the fantasy/history world, but carries on with people subconsciously. Escapism does not excuse abuse toward others, or our responsibility to be sensitive to the other.

3) The other must retain her privilege in escapism. The present world and its nature is one of encountering the other. We live in a world of interaction. As such, we have responsibility for the things and people with whom we interact. This responsibility takes on many forms and our interaction draws us to others in a variety of ways. Escapism is problematic when the other loses her privilege for the sake of the fantasy world, of a nostalgic rememberance and desire for an ethic that's passed. Of course, history can teach us many ways of privileging the other if one searches hard enough; however, there are many cases where history and fantasy teach us how to privilege our own desire for nostalgia and a semblance of control in our own lives. In an escapist world, we can control the world to make it show what we want. The other does not have much privilege here. In the present world and its nature, we cannot control all of the world to our conforming. We can't build a reality with everything we want all the time. Therefore, the privilege of the other is important to recognize, because then we can honestly engage the world more fully, even when we cannot control it. In losing control, we gain the things which are really important, but we need the skills to engage the present world and its nature, even if we are asking questions of that nature.

And finally, 4) If escapism disables people from being able to converse about the present world and its reality, then it is a major problem. We live in the present world, which has a certain nature, which changes over time and engages different people and interests. All over the world there are different worlds which have different natures due to the culture and influence of the people. All of these present worlds and their natures are interconnected and result in us having one world with one nature, and at the same time many worlds with many natures. The one world, is the world of the now, and while it takes many forms, in the end people are unified by their desire for community and relationship in the present world and its nature. Relationship requires engagement, if people spend their lives in a nostalgic world, desiring for something better, (and this applies to history, fantasy, and eschatology), then people lose sight of the opportunity to love and relate in the now, and people that need love need you and me to love like we would want to be loved. In other words, to be able to give and love like God does, while also realizing our own need for love and fulfillment in our lives. Escapism becomes problematic when it is the end sought after for release from the present world and its nature. Escapism can be fun and an enjoyable time by oneself or with friends; however, it can also draw people away from the present world and its nature so much so that the common good is lost. A failure to dialogue about any concern or action in the present world and its nature is symptomatic of this problem.

Aristocrates

P.S. An abuse of eschatology takes most of these symptoms but there are two important differences. 1) The object of the escapism has not happened yet so a deep apathy toward anything appears in anticipation for a pious eschatology as purveyed by a group/cult, etc. This has the effect of creating a lack of care for anything that happens in the present world and its nature and disables people from really being able to act for the common good as people take in the problems of the world if it offends their piety. 2) and most importantly, an abuse of eschatology creates a climate of judgment and hell, which usually does not coincide with the present world and its nature. To be clear, eschatology is important as it shows how the heavenly world and earthly one connect, relate, and interact. Eschatology enables people to talk about God, charity, and purpose in a deeper way, as it draws all past, present, and future history together. However, eschatology is a problem when it does not privilege the other as part of God's creation, even when we find the actions of the other person sinful, shameful, and something that harms the common good. A real eschatology which does not create escapism shows us how God discloses all people and seeks for us to work for the common good.