One of the fundamental assumptions of modernity that every one of us subconsciously follow is that civilization will only move forward. Some of the very concepts that underpin our way of life are considered to only become stronger. Freedom of thought, Equality in front of law are such things that we always take for granted. Perhaps, every successful civilization keeps this optimism to their heart. For the tree of confidence to thrive, you need the root of optimism to run deep.
May be all the ancient and medieval civilizations had been optimistic - until the last moment when they realized they are actually doomed. When the strong winds of ideological shifts tear down the branches, when the axe of hard realities of sustenance strike the trunk, the tree shakes, then falls and then turns wood. The root may still be actively searching for water & nutrition - till the moment it chokes and dies.
I am reminded of this upon reading this news. Child labor in itself has always persisted everywhere every time. But, one of the key precepts of our civilization is that children are best left to learn and grow, rather than involving themselves with the dark issues of today's food and needs. Allow future to grow at the expense of today. The caretakers of today take that extra burden to free up the mind of the future. When a modern country backtracks on this fundamental tenet, for whatever reasons ( I am quite sure they have some genuine reasons), a few questions arises: 1) This could be the first country, but what is the guarantee that the specific socio-economic condition that moved it in this direction won't arise in another country, or worse, the entire world? 2) If and when that happens, what values are we going to hold up to resist the urge to ask our children to go to farm? Do we have anything solid, other than mere hollow words that are as meek as a mouse in front of the cat that the question of sustenance is? 3) If we have any such value, is the collective strength of those values are in the ascent? 4) If not, what is the ground of our optimism of future? 5) If it is okay to forego this principle for the sake of sustenance, what is the guarantee that even dearer principles won't be abandoned, if required?
May be all the ancient and medieval civilizations had been optimistic - until the last moment when they realized they are actually doomed. When the strong winds of ideological shifts tear down the branches, when the axe of hard realities of sustenance strike the trunk, the tree shakes, then falls and then turns wood. The root may still be actively searching for water & nutrition - till the moment it chokes and dies.
I am reminded of this upon reading this news. Child labor in itself has always persisted everywhere every time. But, one of the key precepts of our civilization is that children are best left to learn and grow, rather than involving themselves with the dark issues of today's food and needs. Allow future to grow at the expense of today. The caretakers of today take that extra burden to free up the mind of the future. When a modern country backtracks on this fundamental tenet, for whatever reasons ( I am quite sure they have some genuine reasons), a few questions arises: 1) This could be the first country, but what is the guarantee that the specific socio-economic condition that moved it in this direction won't arise in another country, or worse, the entire world? 2) If and when that happens, what values are we going to hold up to resist the urge to ask our children to go to farm? Do we have anything solid, other than mere hollow words that are as meek as a mouse in front of the cat that the question of sustenance is? 3) If we have any such value, is the collective strength of those values are in the ascent? 4) If not, what is the ground of our optimism of future? 5) If it is okay to forego this principle for the sake of sustenance, what is the guarantee that even dearer principles won't be abandoned, if required?
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