Monday, February 8, 2016

Disability, the Biological Imperative and Memes.

For many people, the sight of a disabled person, be it mental or physical, is an unpleasant experience.  Some thinkers throughout history have believed in euthanasia and the use of eugenics to select out people deemed less fit for survival.  The definition of what was seen as the less desirable traits have been arbitrary and may have included homosexuals, the mentally ill and those with genetic traits for cognitive delays.  Desmond Morris boils down all human behavior to sexual urges. If all human behavior is dictated by an arbitrary biological imperative, then how can we blame people for their "poor" life choices, hatred, fear and cruelty? And, are desirable traits such as love and empathy laudable when we are in fact just machines under the laws of the natural world?
  Richard Dawkins believes  humanity is transcending the dicates of the biological imperative through the transmission of  memes, a culturally desirable piece of information passed on from generation to generation in spite of an overarching biological drive; that is to say, genes are being replaced by memes. If so, caring for the weak instead of ostracizing them; or, doing counter-intuitive things such as loving your hateful neighbor as Jesus taught his disciples makes all the sense. 

So where does Luki fit into these prevailing thoughts?  Rather than a Darwinian view of survival of the fittest, I hope a meme gets transmitted into future generations viewing the disabled not as the weak but desirable people in society who serve as  the glue that keeps people's altruistic tendencies intact - a much needed trait for promoting a peaceful and harmonious society. Seen this way, Luki is a peace bringer who helps society live in peace and harmony - a very important purpose and mission! 

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