Dear Ethicist: I do certain things (which I will not mention) about which I feel very ashamed and bad (tsk, tsk one of them begins “choc” and ends with “late,” the other begins “nak” and ends “ed”).These are basically victimless crimes, but I know they're wrong. At the very best I should have better things to do with my time—say like helping suffering humanity rather than participating in the self-fulfilling cycle of crime and punishment. Once I start down the path of iniquity, it’s like a black hole from which there’s no turning back. My logic is always the same since I have done one bad thing, what difference does it make if I do a hundred? Right now, I’m at the bottom of the barrel. I know I should help those less fortunate than myself, but I don’t know what I would have to offer since I feel like a useless scum bag. What should I do?
Addictive Personality
Dear Addictive Personality: I wish I could express sympathy and tell you I know how you feel, but I don’t have any idea what’s eating you. A lot of people excuse their actions by saying they’re sick. By that logic someone like Hitler was chronically ill and could have been sent to a psychiatrist. If you want me to dish out the punishment I will. From what you say you’re a selfish, self-involved lout who will eventually be a burden to society. I don’t like to talk this way, but I have to be cruel to be kind. Your prognosis is not good. I recommend you exile yourself to a deserted island where you won’t be able to harm yourself or others.
Read "A Moveable Feast" by Francis Levy, The East Hampton Star
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