Touch me.

I pity the sufferer, not for the sufferer's sake (What good does it do?), but for pity's sake. Pity is, or should be, a human reflex. It is an ethical determination—not a judgment. That is to say, it is not judging the sufferer, or rather, evaluating his condition based on appearances, but examining one's own willingness to dismiss the pitiful as pitiful—because feeling powerless to “do something.” It is judgmental-ism without being a judgment on the pitiable one in the sense of condemnation, but (as another idiom goes), like "throwing him under the bus." I couldn't look at myself.

Of course, it is not in your power to help, but if it were, you would, wouldn't you? Why, yes. Why, then, suppose it is a failing? Nobody looks for misfortune, neither one's own, nor that of others. It happens. What I ask myself in this situation is how do I feel—what does it mean to me? And I never solicit concern, nor am I, (again) as the popular idiom has it, a “concern troll.” I have made that mistake. As a young man I once—and only once—viewed what I took to be a poor, down-trodden individual, and I presumptuously offered assistance. Turns out he was in need of no such thing! Imagine my embarrassment...

What is popularly termed concern trolling might be defined as gratuitous concern, in other words help, aid, and assistance when none is sought. Indeed, everyone has the right to ask for help, but not obliged to accept it when offered, when not needed. Only trying to help? The gratuitous helper begins shows a touch of egotism. The impulse is selfless, but in fact, is motivated by an as-yet undefined, selfish motive.

I learned this kind of casuistry from The Jesuits. My counsel to the concerned is to pause and consider; the victim is probably suffering, just as you are a good person who only wants to help, but in all probability is not in distress. If it were it a crisis it would be an obligation, and a brief glance of a stranger's apparent suffering is not sufficient cause to initiate unsolicited kindness.

When I am solicited by a beggar I sometimes agree—and sometimes not. I consider my own feelings. If the beggar makes me feel like an easy mark I apologize and refuse. If, on the other hand, the beggar touches my heart, I cannot in good conscience refuse to admit our shared human weakness by some token. It makes me feel good. That, as in the previous example, could be called selfish—granted. The analogy is imperfect, as all rational judgments are.

The graphic art of Brian Higgins can be viewed at: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/8-brian-higgins One-of-a-kind works of art can be viewed at: https://www.saatchiart.com/account/artworks/1840403

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