Opinion: The Case for Looking Away From Suffering
This opinion piece by Benjamin A. Saltzman challenges the prevailing notion that constant attention to suffering is a moral imperative. While Pope Leo XIV recently admonished believers against the 'globalization of indifference,' arguing that turning away from pain is a sign of fear and apathy, the author offers a nuanced counterpoint. Saltzman suggests that averting one's eyes is not always an act of indifference but can be a profound response rooted in grief, horror, and awe. To illustrate this, the article references the frescoes of the 15th-century painter Fra Angelico at the Convent of San Marco in Florence. In these religious artworks, figures such as Mary, John, and St. Dominic are depicted covering their faces or turning away from the Crucifixion. The author argues that these gestures represent a necessary psychological and spiritual mechanism. By looking away, individuals may find the space needed to reflect deeply and respond more meaningfully to tragedy, rather than being overwhelmed by continuous exposure. The piece ultimately advocates for recognizing the validity of disengagement as a component of human empathy and moral processing.
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Opinion: The Case for Looking Away From Suffering
This opinion piece by Benjamin A. Saltzman challenges the prevailing notion that constant attention to suffering is a moral imperative. While Pope Leo XIV recently admonished believers against the 'globalization of indifference,' arguing that turning away from pain is a sign of fear and apathy, the author offers a nuanced counterpoint. Saltzman suggests that averting one's eyes is not always an act of indifference but can be a profound response rooted in grief, horror, and awe. To illustrate this, the article references the frescoes of the 15th-century painter Fra Angelico at the Convent of San Marco in Florence. In these religious artworks, figures such as Mary, John, and St. Dominic are depicted covering their faces or turning away from the Crucifixion. The author argues that these gestures represent a necessary psychological and spiritual mechanism. By looking away, individuals may find the space needed to reflect deeply and respond more meaningfully to tragedy, rather than being overwhelmed by continuous exposure. The piece ultimately advocates for recognizing the validity of disengagement as a component of human empathy and moral processing.
WSJ.com: US Business