Philosophy

Sensitivity Has Become The Cancer Of Society.

My argument as to why sensitivity is destroying society

What do I mean when I say sensitivity?

Before I present my argument on why sensitivity is causing our society to crumble like Rome once did, I would like to define what I mean by sensitivity.

The Cambridge Dictionary defines sensitivity as:

“the quality of being easily upset by the things people say or do or causing people to be upset, embarrassed, or angry”

To aid me in explaining my points as clearly as possible, I will use scenarios/case studies to help me paint an image of the issue I am trying to bring to your attention and a commentary where I present my argument.

Please remember this definition as you read the following points of my argument.

1. Sensitivity Halts Free Speech

Scenario/ Case Study Mr A and Mr B are discussing feminism. During this discussion, Mr B has expressed an opinion that Mr A disagrees with.

Mr A then gets offended by Mr B and vocally sounds his offence, causing the people surrounding them to give Mr B a very disappointed look for insulting Mr A.

Mr B is confused. He is expressing his opinion on the subject being discussed, just as Mr A is. He did not take offence to what Mr A was saying even though it contradicted his opinion because he understood that not everyone would share his opinion, and he respected that.

Not liking the hostility he was receiving, Mr B apologized and kept quiet.

Commentary

For free speech to function effectively, society must respect diversity.

Someone who is extremely sensitive tends to take personal offence towards anyone expressing a different opinion from theirs. Anyone with such sensitivity by default will not respect the diversity of the human mind.

This lack of respect hinders open, respectful communication essential for growth and knowledge exploration, leading to my second point.

2. It Prevents Constructive Communication

Scenario/ Case Study

Let me use the recently escalated Israel-Palestinian conflict as my Scenario to convey this point.

Anyone who has pointed out facts about Israel’s wrongdoing during this escalated conflict is called Anti-Semitic for simply stating the facts. Similarly, anyone who supports Israel is immediately called a genocide supporter when it is a fact that the terrorist group Hamas has killed innocent Israeli civilians.

Commentary

True, there are a lot of emotions in this conflict, but name-calling and grouping people simply because of their opposing views indicates any argument presented from the opposite side will fall on a blocked ear.

If sensitivity weren’t so heightened, constructive conversation based on respect for diverse opinions might have led to a greater understanding of both sides.

This inevitably leads to solutions being developed that allow society to advance positively.

3. It Forbids Truth From Being Told

Scenario/ Case Study

Mrs A has been struggling to find love. Needing advice, she asks her best friend, Mrs B, who has been married for eight years, for advice on finding true love.

Mrs B, happy to offer advice for her friend, tells her this:

“You need to reduce your requirements for the man you wish to marry, if you are truly just looking for love, don't only look for love in wealthy men, look for love in all morally upstanding men”

Mrs A, being a naturally very sensitive person, felt Mrs B, whose husband was wealthy, had a hidden message behind her advice.

She felt that Mrs B, who was from a wealthy family, was indirectly saying that no rich man would want to marry her because she is from a different social class.

Even though, at the back of her mind, she knew there was some truth to what Mrs B said, her sensitivity made her see the first option of ridiculing her as a higher possibility.

She then expresses her offence at Mrs B for belittling her in such a way. Mrs B is shocked at her intention being misinterpreted and never tells Mrs A her honest observation when asked again.

Commentary

Mrs A’s sensitivity stemming from insecurity has caused her relationship with Mrs B to evolve into an untruthful one.

This might seem like an insignificant case when arguing that sensitivity is the poison of society, but all these little cases pile up to become a mountain of untruthful relationships.

Without a foundation of trust, no relationship will be stable.

With no stability, society collapses.

Conclusion

Too much of everything is not good.

Too much of sensitivity is not good.

I want to make it clear that sensitivity is not a bad thing. Sensitivity towards a child crying, a pregnant woman, and an old lady walking across the street is what makes humanity beautiful.

The issue I am pointing out in this writing is that progress cannot be made when sensitivity reaches a level where everyone tiptoes around everything.

What use is society if we cannot grow, evolve and develop?

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Best Wishes,

This Writer