3/12/2021
Much has been written and explored about John Rawls’ concept of the “veil of ignorance.” A thought experiment where one is to consider what kind of society they would like to be born into if they wouldn’t know whether they were born into the upper echelons or the lowest depths. It’s purpose is to illustrate how much luck has to do with one’s experience of the world and the outcomes which they attain.
In the last few years I have started a meditation practice. One of the mind blowing Koans that I have been taught is “try thinking your next thought before you think it.” Which hammers home the fact that we (whatever we are/whatever we THINK we are) are not the authors of our thoughts. We are merely the recipients or observers of our thoughts. Which, coming from a previous background of fairly extreme libertarianism, both philosophical and economical, was a challenging new concept to weave into my pre-existing world view. I used to think I had earned what I have or deserved my station in life based on what I had done. But, with even some basic contemplation it quickly became obvious that what I had (am?) was largely the product of environmental variables far beyond my control. As a family doctor, when I see patients who were born or have fallen into extreme circumstances it can be quite heartbreaking. I am sure many people will counter that through grit, or determination, or hard work, or “fill in the blank” people can rise above their circumstances. But, we should take a step back and ask did one choose to have that determination or grit? Did another person deliberately decide that they did not want to have control over their circumstances?
I recognize that everything I have is fragile, and I want to make the world a place where what everyone has is less fragile. To quote my favorite “bad-but-good movie” K2, when 2 climbers are fighting over whether to pay the porters, the first climber in frustration says “I didn’t make the world the way it is, I’m just trying to get through the world as fast and clean as possible.” His partner responds “we all make the world the way it is”. Thus, I have chosen to update my world model to be one where I can be thankful for what I have or where I am in life without claiming primary ownership or desserts. If I make the world the way it is (at least in part) and I want to make it more antifragile, then it behooves me to pay forward my luck. As a family physician, my current career and insight into people’s lives convinces me that directing resources to make the safest possible haven for children is the best way to do that.