The Sphere of Concern

Increase joy and minimize suffering for whom?

At the center of our sphere of concern is self, close family and intimate friends. Heading away from center, we find people we identify with and perhaps animals we cherish. Further out are unknown people. Somewhere in the sphere are future generations. Very far out are species that are quite different from us. While it wrenches our hearts to see a deer explode in a collision with a car, we are virtually unemotional to a fly being splattered by a flyswatter.

The sphere is different for each of us. Some no doubt value all human life above all animal life. Some would include the notion of country (although very few Americans would include county!) For some, race or ethnicity are important factors in determining how close to the center someone is.

The closer to center, the more important the joy and suffering. So the suffering of a stray cat on the other side of the world means very little. It still means something, though. All living things have value in my sphere of concern.

For example, let's suppose I'm hungry, and I consider eating a steak. What is the joy and suffering, and for whom? Starting at center, there is my obvious joy. My id is screaming for a medium rare filet mignon. Money may be a concern -- my family and I may suffer in the future from my financial indulgences. If my diet is out of balance, my future self will pay the price. The creature that I may eat has already suffered its murder, but by increasing demand, more cattle will be slaughtered to fill the markets with steaks. More will ultimately be born as well, which may be a joyous thing. My choice will provide economic joy to those who benefit from it, but quite possibly suffering for future generations since the meat industry is hard on the planet with respect to many environmental concerns. Certain jungle species will suffer as they and their habitat are removed to make way for pasture and crop farms.

The worst thing is, now my life has become complicated! I'm hungry, and need to eat to survive. Do I have to assign values to the happiness of the grocer and the misery of my unborn great grandchild who will not have the opportunity of visiting the Amazon Jungle?