I appreciate your take on this and the fact that you’re considering more perspectives here. No doubt a take like this that isn’t immediately all in support of Mr. Luigi without thinking of anything else of is going to attract immediate down votes, but I feel like this is a pretty realistic view on why what happened, happened. We’re all doing what we can with what we have to survive. I think if any of us were in a bad spot and saw an opportunity to take action, and it had to be immediate, and in that moment before the opportunity passed, we would take it. If it wasn’t there, he could’ve been caught or found accused of this in some other capacity. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone try and consider what the McDonald’s worker situation was or what kind of people he was responsible for caring for. Him choosing to be the one this time may very well have saved some lives in his world as well.
One answer could be for you to learn and practice philosophy alongside your learnings of world news. In particular, stoicism and stoic philosophy can allow you to watch these external events and consider them as they are, but with the understanding that these things reside outside of your control which preserves your feelings and self from being affected by them. It really brings more power to you through anything you go through or experience.
Philosophers Who Addressed This Question
1.) Albert Camus
• Work: The Myth of Sisyphus (1942)
• Argument: Camus argues that life is absurd, meaning it is full of suffering and chaos without inherent meaning. However, he suggests that one can resist despair by embracing life with defiance and by finding meaning through action and creativity.
• Example: Camus likens human existence to Sisyphus, who is condemned to roll a boulder up a hill only to have it roll back down. Camus proposes that we must “imagine Sisyphus happy,” finding joy in the act of persistence itself rather than in outcomes.
2.) Martha Nussbaum
• Work: Upheavals of Thought: The Intelligence of Emotions (2001)
• Argument: Nussbaum defends the idea that emotions like compassion and anger can be powerful motivators for justice but need to be tempered with rationality and self-care to avoid burnout. She advocates for a philosophy of practical engagement, where one maintains emotional investment in the world while creating boundaries to protect one’s mental well-being.
• Example: Nussbaum might suggest that instead of being overwhelmed by global problems, you focus on one specific issue you can influence—channeling compassion into tangible actions.
3.) Viktor Frankl
• Work: Man’s Search for Meaning (1946)
• Argument: As a Holocaust survivor, Frankl emphasizes the importance of finding purpose even in the face of suffering. He argues that meaning can be found in how we respond to suffering, whether through action, creativity, or how we endure hardships.
• Example: Even when facing immense global crises, Frankl might suggest asking, “What specific actions can I take to create meaning and contribute positively, no matter how small?