Philosophy of seeing – part 3

Yasin Aziz

By Yasin Aziz:

It is so fascinating, what lies behind the way we see or prefer to see, observe our surrounding, and what dictates the boundaries of how far we can see. Even the first steps we tend to take and then proceed. It is obvious there are risks when we step out towards achieving our aims, whatever they might be. It is strange that if we consider the risks we are taking and if we happen to understand them, these risks may limit the spatial distance of our ability to manoeuvre in dealing with our surroundings.

It is obvious, there are factors, causes and effects that determine our ability to see, observe, perceive, conceive, predict and speculate. Methods of seeing might be physical or abstract, the physical way of seeing may be dictated by factors rooted in the way we live, our backgrounds and the way we perceive. And there are factors behind our priorities that dictate the way we live, think and monitor our environment.

However, the abstract method of seeing is the hidden reality or, we may say, the inner truthful content behind the physical appearance of what we see. I suppose the ability to see in the abstract way is a higher or an esoteric way of seeing. It is obvious the ability to reach the abstract way of seeing is through working hard, and drawing on experience to dig out the reality behind what is happening in our surroundings, and also further afield which may affect whatever is happening around us.

It seems the human species has an instinctive and innate, unconscious, selfish impulse which has contributed in different ways to formulate our survival. It seems as if this unfortunate selfish drive is a factor behind the survival of the human species, for better or worse.

This selfish drive may have impacts in two different ways: one of goodness and the other of evil. These different ways have had both positive and negative effects on human evolution and seem to have balanced each other out, at least in terms of human survival.

It is sometimes fascinating to see, if we can really see, how the evil-minded is dressed in the costume of goodness to fulfill hidden evil ambitions. For example: the use of religion throughout history to gain power in the name of God and in the name of peace and social harmony has often culminated in the building of empires, both in the East and the West.

These attempts to ‘save human civilisation’ have brought about genocide, economic calamity and suffering on many occasions, ever since the massacre of the Medes by the Jews in the name of religion, which was like a prelude to so many disasters in the last 3000 years of history.

Even now, there are a few world political leaders that should ideally be on trial for crimes against humanity. In fact, the Empires throughout history – which the civilised communities are now so proud of and often pretend to have been the saviours of the civilised world – have often orchestrated disasters: mass killing, famines and destruction around the world, yet still their apologists consider them civilised.

Even today, many political leaders who are no less at fault than others before them, are so proud and well respected for being who they are. And they are praised and looked up to, as if they are hardly recognised or perceived for their ambiguous, indirect and covert involvement in crimes against humanity.

One of the main reasons behind this is their own insecurity, as they do not have confidence in their own inner strength and, therefore, they use their selfishness and greed to pocket millions and even billions and keep on trying hard to fulfill their limitless greed.

In fact, the state of imperiousness is always built on subordinating others for the sake of staying in charge and retaining power for themselves. Just like the head of a gang who coerces and intimidates by whatever means possible and will do anything unimaginable to stay imperious. Therefore, the use of various types of badges, doctrines and religions are nothing but the tools for enslaving others and empowering the self.

The powers often create all sorts of groups, in various types, shapes and forms, like fanatics, outlaws, oligarchs and big business companies. All these were created and supported by them for their own use. For the same reasons they back despotic regimes and fund them with millions or billions, like members of a criminal gang.

It is a known fact that the ones who stumble and fall are the ones whose roles are finished and may face justice; but for the ones who are in the process of committing heinous crimes, the big brothers still pretend they are true saviours of the civilised world.

The narratives of the civilised and the ancient savages are nowadays so close and similar, as though there’s not that much difference between them. In the ancient past, with ignorance, illiteracy and a primitive way of communication many criminals got away with whatever crimes they committed; but now with the advance of media technology, there is a speed of awareness that always brings to the fore instantly what is happening around the world. One may question whether the ancient past was more savage and today more civilised; or whether the selfish greed of today’s superpowers has produced a savagery and cruelty leaving far behind the ancient savages of the past.

Yasin Mahmoud Aziz is from Halabja and lives in the UK.  He is the author of ‘Dum Dum Castle’ and two books in Kurdish and he is planning several more books, including ‘A Few Days Life of Revolution in Halabja’. Email: yasin2111@hotmail.com

Copyright © 2014 Kurdistantribune.com

One Response to Philosophy of seeing – part 3
  1. Kuvan Bamarny
    March 24, 2014 | 09:55

    Reality lays beyond the eyes as our eyes would not always tell us the truth. Its a wise mind and sharp eyes together that detirmind whats true and whats is false.
    And as for greed and selfishness , the more a person becomes greedy and selfish the more they take life for granted and hence become cowards and hide behind their body guards and their cash .

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