17 August 2007
Not fair
I have just been to the funeral of a 33-year-old friend who died from cancer. I didn’t know her well but her partner of 10 years works with me. At the funeral I learnt much more about her; it was clear she was a wonderful person with tremendous energy and love who gave a huge amount to her family, her partner and her work.
Thirty-three years old. A fantastic person with everything to live for. Is that fair? No way.
Should life (and death) be fair? Some people’s world views seem to say that it should. According to them, when things are manifestly unfair there is actually some greater good at work that we mere humans cannot fathom (the intentions of a loving god).
Sorry, I can’t buy that. I have come to the conclusion that fairness is a human construct – it is not an intrinsic part of the natural world.
Why do we have this concept of fairness that we hope for so strongly? Could it have something to do with instinctive behaviours that have evolved to help maintain cohesive societies?
