When Neutrality Is Desirable

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 06 November, 2024 Declaration: This is an extended and contextualised version of the writer's article 'A Calculated Choice' that appeared in The Times of India, Speaking Tree (November 2). "Neutrality may not be an admirable (moral) quality or stance but it saves one from a dilemma and plethora of choices; often undesirable." Anon This is what's happening at the moment. Look at the ensuing Presidential election scenario in the US. The fiercely raging electoral battle between Kamala Harris (Democratic nominee) and Donald Trump (Republican nominee) has resulted in extreme polarisation of American society and it has also left people spoilt for choice. This overabundance of choices or the classic embarras de richesses has made a large section of people averse to choices. We're witnessing the same in India where a plethora of political parties of all hues and shades with a huge number of candidates have practically baffled and bamboozled the voters. One feels that it's better to stay away from this shambolic charade and instead, witness the proceedings from a distance. But can this neutrality be called desirable? Mind you, to be neutral doesn't mean inertia or sluggishness. Nor is it shunning one's fundamental and moral responsibility. Neutrality is mindful non-participation. As human beings, we are called to assess, judge and act as moral beings. Once we have eaten of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, we have no choice but to be active in our moral and political lives, and a big part of this turns on deciding what is right and wrong, and who is right and wrong. Neutrality is treated with significant suspicion in ethics. It is an ambivalent position – a vice more often than a virtue. Neutrality which is evasive and cowardly is not a deep human value for which we should always strive. It is understandable, then, that humanitarian organisations should have a certain ambivalence about neutrality: that neutrality is mostly wrong but can be right – if pursued in a good enough cause. But we've to understand that the stand of neutrality or not making a choice is not a permanent stance. To be neutral in order to observe is a good thing. It's a prudent quality. Remember, making no choice or making a delayed choice will always allow a country, state, party or individual to assess the situation and take stock of things. The die is cast, when you make a choice in a huff and hurry. At times, no reaction is the biggest and most potential reaction. The whole world is passing through a state of unprecedented chaos because of the over participation of all and sundry. Someone aptly stated, 'If we all jump into the arena to become gladiators, who'll be the spectators to witness the spectacle?' In fine, neutrality at times is a calculated and wise choice. The Buddha believed that to be neutral was better than the participation that led to conflicts and confusion. Not only in socio-political issues and contexts, neutrality also applies to religio-spiritual sphere because it (neutrality) is wise indifference. We all become too charged up when it comes to our faiths, books, texts, tenets and gods. Even atheists, who're no different, often react violently when their beliefs are challenged. Mind you, atheists are just godless and non-religious believers; there's no difference in obstinacy and the emphasis on my way, the highway. To be neutral is to refrain from giving any reply, response or reaction. This can save mankind and also avoid much bitterness or bad-blood. To be neutral in religious matters is spiritual evolution and moral upliftment. To be neutral is not to be neuter. In fact, to be neutral is to be noetic and full of nous. An intellectually evolved human will remain stoically and clinically neutral. He'll be a spectator witnessing the vicissitudes of life and the cavalcade of time. Yet, his stance will not be 'sitting-on-the fence' type. People who jump into the arena for someone else and start arguing and fighting, must develop the quality of staying neutral. That way, they'll do a great service to the world and also to themselves. The world is in a state of perpetual turmoil and turbulence because we've not learnt when to stay neutral and ignore things that may flare up further. …………. A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. ----- URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/when-neutrality-desirable/d/133631 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism