Cultures in different parts of the world have different perspectives concerning the causes of human suffering. Parents and teachers teach children the importance of moral values and honourable behaviour. However, it appears that often good actions do not beget good results. People who strive to be truthful, fair and kind tend to suffer a lot, while the evil ones do not suffer the consequences of their actions. I will present my views on “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
Why do bad things happen to good people: Fate, Karma and Divine Will
Broadly, there are three ways people have traditionally viewed misfortune:-
Fate: Suffering is predetermined and randomly assigned. There is little, if anything, that you could do to prevent it. Some cultures believe in making offerings to the Gods to win their grace, while others tell you to grin and bear it.
Karma: Some cultures believe that one’s past actions cause suffering – be it the actions of your current life or one of your past lives. These cultures often believe in promoting good karma to ensure better prospects in future, even the next life.
Divine Will: Some cultures attribute human suffering to the whims of the Almighty. They believe that one suffers because the Supreme being wills it so. Some would even go to the extent of deriding those who attempt to fight back against the hardships of their lives.
The above perspectives are flawed because of the following reasons:-
1. To label something as fate is to declare that one has little control over his life. It is a passive approach to life, and the only expected action is to pray to the divine powers to have mercy.
2. The noble concept of karma hinges on the idea that one is responsible for what happens to him. Prima facie, this appears to be the right way of looking at things because it puts you in charge of your life. However, the situation is not so simple, as I will explain in the next section.
3. The idea that divine will determines everything in your life is the worst of the three. It is based on fear – the fear of a supreme entity prone to human flaws of anger and vengeance. This ideology of fear has ruined counted lives over the millennia.
Observations on the objective causes of suffering
The inherent fallacy in the principle of karma is the assumption that you are the only one in charge of your life, which is far from the truth. Here are some reasons you are only partially in control of your life.
Paying for the ‘sins’ of others
Humans are one of the species that are social by nature. Our lives are intricately sewn into the lives of others. Even if you are a solitary soul like me, the actions of others still affect you. Your family, your friends, your neighbours, your government – each one can improve or worsen things for you, even people who are not remotely attached to you, such as the oil barons of some other country or an ambitious politician in a faraway land. Their mistakes and mala fide actions can ruin your life.
It would be short-sighted to say that one’s suffering is caused by bad karma from his current life or one of his previous lives. People often suffer due to the factors over which they have little to no control, such as the family they were born in or the economy of their homeland.
The sheep and the wolves
Usually, how people treat you depends on their nature and interests rather than your behaviour towards them. Most people are guided by their primal instincts rather than the moral values they profess to harbour. The wolves do not care whether the sheep are amicable – all that matters to them is the flesh. No matter how good you are to the predators in society, they will behave according to their selfish goals. Be it the greedy businessman or the corrupt government official, they care solely about satiating their desires. It could also be a person committing a crime against humanity, seeking to fulfil one of the basest desires. No good deed on your part can move a bloodthirsty monster.
The fatalists would claim that it was all predetermined and nothing could be done to prevent it. The people who blame bad karma for suffering would shift the blame from the wolves to the sheep – citing some evil action(s) of the victim in the past life. The people who believe in the divine will would tell the victim to accept his state as the will of the Gods. None of these views is logical.
Unintended and unpredictable events
Often, the culprit of your suffering is not a person or a group but rather an unpredictable event. For example, imagine falling sick before your job interview. Another example could be an earthquake that kills someone in your family. In such cases, no person is to blame for your suffering.
Why do bad things happen to good people, and what one can do?
You may think that humans shall suffer eternally due to their inherent vices. However, not all is as bad as it may appear to be. Often, the solution to a problem lies in the problem itself. Here are a few ways to ensure better outcomes for individuals as well as society:-
Inculcating a robust moral code in every member of society: Moral values can be fruitful only when everyone honours them. In real life, turning the other cheek does not deter the assailant. Moral values work well when everyone in a social unit adheres to the same code. Karma can be more potent at the community level.
Choosing a better company: Your environment determines many things in your life, including your living standards and overall well-being. Toxic people, like polluted air and water, will make you suffer despite all your virtues. There is no point in being the sole saint among hooligans, even if they are your kin.
Staying prepared for the worst: The best plans can go wrong, best friends can turn hostile, and best fortunes can turn sour. The best way to act is to prepare yourself for the unpleasant outcomes, no matter how unlikely they appear.
Conclusion
There is no alternative to rational thought and prudent action. Dogma and false notions can only exacerbate suffering. One must do what must be done to alleviate suffering without being misled by irrational optimism or obstructive pessimism.
Vivamus, moriendum est (Let us live, since we must die) – Seneca
An interesting take on the subject of karma and morals.