At one with the world (From Oxford Mail)

6:26pm Tuesday 16th March 2010 in

WHY ON earth does Ralph Leavis think that those of us who promote animal welfare do not support victims of the Haiti earthquake?

Surely, intelligent people can understand that every creature is motivated by a common will to live.

This perception leads to a great ethical advance breaking down artificial barriers between species and our own.

We feel at one not only with humankind but the whole of nature.

Of course, as Mr Leavis asserts, Albert Schweitzer had not the least compunction about destroying scorpions and poisonous snakes.

What he made clear is that we should humanely kill only under the pressure of necessity when an entity is extremely harmful to others.

The great jungle doctor was wholly opposed to cruelty in any form for so-called sport.

Schweitzer’s philosophy of reverence for life is more relevant now than ever.

We know the interdependence of all living beings and the vast unity underlying existence.

Truly seen, the whole earth is one organism. This knowledge will inspire boundless compassion pointing the way to the future and a better world.

GRAHAM BUTLER Banbury Road Bicester

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