The
change in the attitudes of society toward its people can present an interesting
comment on the people. The articles show
the progression of “difference” from intriguing to repulsive and with it the
comment on the society as it evolved.
At
one time these people were seen as acts of God.
The reasons for their conditions were usually explained in religious
terms and were not to be questioned. As
our society evolved the religious explanations appear to have lost much of
their value and people began to seek explanations that they could believe, thus
we have the scientific community trying to provide the answers to the “why”
questions.
I cannot decide whether the “why” questions
are too complex or whether the scientists, being only human, are not seeking
the answers in the correct fashion.
While we know some of the reasons for these abnormalities of the human
condition we still have a long way to go with our quest. I only hope that the
shining light that they say is at the end of the tunnel does not go out before
we reach that point.
Joyce Abbott
Joyce,
ReplyDeleteYou raise many interesting points here. In response, I would ask, why do we even need to ask why? Do we always need to understand "abnormalities" or should we instead accept that variation seems to be a "natural" part of human existence? Are scientists asking why simply because they can?