Philosophy in my kitchen

Christmas is just about a fortnight away. The days are longer dark than bright and we keep ourselves busy baking Christmas cookies. The time spent in the kitchen is clearly more than the rest of the year.

It is a nice time to be philosophical about what is happening in our world today. We hear disturbing reports in the news media. Our newspapers, radio and television reported recurringly on the plight of the refugees, Syrians, Afghans, Eritrean... and the efforts of the various EU members confronted with this issue. My nenek would have asked me as we rolled out the wanton dough or attended to whatever kitchen work: "What is the root of this problem? Why do these people have to flee? Why do they put their own lives and those of their children to such risks? Why would they rather face the unknown devil than the devil they know at home?" 

She would named the Syrian refugees as an example and we would examine these questions closely together. We would conclude that no one would leave a nice and cosy home. No one would run with their family and leave everything behind them if there was a shimmer of hope that the sun will shine (figuratively speaking) the next day. So why is there war in Syria, Ukraine and Afghanistan...which forces human beings like you and me to flee?

My economics teacher would answer the last question, "it is unfortunate but it is the reality. If there was no war, there would be no destruction; no destroyed houses, no bombed infrastructure like roads, railway lines and airports, power stations and masts and cables or factories which needed to be built, re-built or to be mended. At least not in such large numbers and at such a rate!"

My nenek/granny would think out loud: "Perhaps that is what the warring parties want? Perhaps they could get richer more quickly and be more powerful simultaneously? Perhaps they pressurize their statesmen to ignore the suffering of the people under missile or air attacks with the following arguments?

We have to defend ourselves against intruders with armaments: war planes, -ships, cannons, rockets and missiles. If we produce these items, we create jobs for our folk."

These parties are probably staunch believers. The christians will follow the Gospel of Mark 12:31 or Matthew 22:39, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" by providing the job opportunities. The buddhists would say: "Live and let live". They are providing each and everyone of them for the livelihood of their folk...