"What is the use of physicians like myself trying to help parents to bring up children healthy and happy, to have them killed in such numbers for a cause that is ignoble?"
About this Quote
Benjamin Spock, a prominent pediatrician and author, speaks to the futility and heartbreak experienced by practitioners committed to nurturing life, in a world where that life is frequently misused for not worthy causes. This quote poignantly highlights the paradox faced by health specialists who dedicate their lives to promoting the wellness of children, just to witness those lives being compromised, often en masse, in pursuits they consider ignoble.
Spock's option of words highlights his aggravation and ethical predicament. As a doctor, his life's work is to make sure that kids mature healthy and delighted. In his view, the fruits of his labor-- which of numerous parents-- are negated when social decisions cause the deaths of these extremely children in disputes or wars that he views as unjustifiable. The term "ignoble" recommends a judgment on the morality or lack thereof behind such causes. It implies not simply an individual feeling of loss but also an extensive review of the societal structures that sanction such results.
Furthermore, Spock's lament could reflect the wider anti-war belief of his time, particularly throughout the Vietnam War period, when many people started to question the reasoning behind military interventions and their human cost. As a pediatrician, Spock represents those whose objective is to construct-- the reverse of war, which naturally includes destruction. This juxtaposition stresses the intrinsic value of life and the moral responsibility society holds to protect it.
In essence, Spock is questioning the ethical compass of a society that stops working to prioritize the sanctity of life, specifically the innocent lives of children. His statement serves as an effective pointer of the commitments and responsibilities that include the power to make life-and-death decisions. Ultimately, Spock's words encourage reflection on the real expense of conflict and a reevaluation of the worths that determine such significant societal choices.
More details
About the Author