[H3rmit]

Well, I think we're narcissistic as a species (not individually). Definitely overall the species assumes we are a cut above anything else and the world should be at our service. Anything else to add?

[shezbut]

I agree with your hypothesis.

Human beings in general have a tendency to avoid looking at the larger picture in life, and choose to merely stayed focused upon their own lives. Part of that may be due to today's society, saturated with depressing news from all over the world. It feels pretty overwhelming and more difficult to doing what we can do to help those in our area NOW and move out from there.

A touch of paranoia maybe?

[The_little_didgee]

Originally Posted by H3rmit

Well, I think we're narcissistic as a species (not individually). Definitely overall the species assumes we are a cut above anything else and the world should be at our service.

I know my answer isn't what you are looking for, but I wanted to include it, because it is relevant.

Not all cultures on the planet think like this.

Your observations are mainstream Western world thinking. It reflects the vertical orientation of our culture, with God and humanity at the top. Everything else, including animals is beneath. This orientation is evident in everyday life and is everywhere, from institutions to governments. It is even in the sciences.

In non-Western cultures, the world has a very different orientation; it is horizontal. Everything living and non-living has a vital role and equal importance. This way of thinking is reflected in customs and spiritual beliefs. It is even evident in syncretism.

The Western world can learn a lot about life and respect from the world's Indigenous peoples. They have a lot to teach us.

-----

A Western view:

Individualism and materialism is doing us in. We need to psychoanalyze that. Why is it so important for us to have so much?

[spondiferous]

I guess narcissistic is the closest thing I could come to it. Paranoid, yes, and delusional at times. Basically, my hypothesis about the human species is that, by and large, the majority of us have lost touch with reality, and reality being our place in the scheme of things. We've given ourselves so much more power than we have any right to. I totally agree with relearning from Indigenous people. There's a major lack of respect for symbiotic relationships and the way everything interconnects. We live in an addicted society. So I guess you could add that to the list of diagnoses.

[H3rmit]

>In non-Western cultures, the world has a very different orientation; it is horizontal. Everything living and non-living has a vital role and equal importance.

Not so sure about that. Chinese culture, for one, doesn't seem to be that way, nor lots of other Asian or African cultures I have been exposed to. I did think about that idea when I posted, but what I said stands - any alternate view to the dominant one is marginalized.

[The_little_didgee]

I was referring specifically to North America's Indigenous peoples. My statement did not apply to all world cultures.

My point was just meant to provoke some thought, nothing more. Sorry.

I will throw in histrionic...everything is a dramatic event even if you (meaning, one of us) misplaces your cell phone for 5 minutes. And we always need attention and approval from others.
(I am basing my views on US culture, btw.)

[H3rmit]

Originally Posted by The_little_didgee

I was referring specifically to North America's Indigenous peoples. My statement did not apply to all world cultures.

My point was just meant to provoke some thought, nothing more. Sorry.

No need to be sorry. You said non-Western, which normally means Eastern.