Is it possible to love all mankind?

When was the last time you thought about being part of the human species? For many, this aspect of our identity is far from being the most important. We often think of ourselves as a person of a certain gender, nationality, nationality, ethnic group, religion. We see ourselves as a conservative or a liberal, a “dog person” or a “cat person”, a husband or wife, a short man or a tall one.

We do not simply refer ourselves to these groups and realize our own value precisely in relation to them. We also feel more confident with those who belong to our circle, writing off all those who are outside the well-defined line.

But there are people, and, unfortunately, they are a minority, for whom it is not so important to identify themselves with any particular group. And although we are so arranged that we cannot be everywhere at the same time or love everyone equally, some feel their kinship with the whole world more than with some strictly limited circle of people.

One can recall, for example, those who risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones, saving Jews from being sent to concentration camps during the Holocaust. Or who during the years of the siege of Leningrad gave the last piece of bread to someone else’s child. For them, humanity was one big family.

What is this feeling of kinship with all the people living in the world? Why do some feel it and others don’t?

Psychologists Sam McFarland, Matthew Web and Derek Brown once created the test. He helped determine whether a person perceives himself as part of a huge community of people on Earth, or rather refers to a narrow stratum and cares exclusively about her well-being.

To relate oneself to all mankind meant to love people, to believe in them and to find common ground with them, regardless of group affiliation.

This test, among other things, allowed us to answer several important questions and understand how those who worry about the well-being of the world are different.

Kindness by nature or upbringing?

We can consider ourselves compassionate and kind. But we do not know whether this applies to any person or only to a limited group of people of the same nationality, gender, etc. with us.

Perhaps you are generous and selfless among your own, but how will you behave among people whose views, interests, tastes or, say, skin color are different?

The researchers argue that those who live in countries with a culture of collectivism are more likely to sacrifice themselves for the sake of their group members and will not help others. And people from countries with a culture of individualism are more able to help those who do not belong to their group.

Scientists also found that people who considered themselves primarily part of a huge human community were more likely to worry about global problems such as hunger, climate change, discrimination, and war.

Good or just nervous?

It is not surprising that such people are more open to experimentation and are more likely to decide on new experiences. But, on the other hand, they are prone to anxiety disorders, depression and stress.

Unlike those who care only about their narrow circle, “representatives of humanity” are worried about everything in the world, afraid of darkness and heights, and even bad weather. Which, however, is quite understandable, because if we worry about the little things, then most likely we will be worried about global problems. Just because we do not remain indifferent to anything, everything is important to us.

Such people are like an open nerve, too much hurts. It is unbearable for them to know that somewhere children are starving, someone is dying of diseases in the absence of medicines, that there are wars and natural disasters in the world that claim thousands of lives.

If you are an anxious person, most likely you will be worried about injustice on a global scale.

We are all of the same blood

Those who rescued Jews in the Holocaust believed that every life matters. The same as their own.

Some are worried about the well-being of their group, brotherhood, caste. Others at the same time think that the lives of both “their own” and “them” are equally valuable. We can clearly see the differences between these two types of people now, when everyone is reacting in one way or another to the situation in the world.

Today, yesterday and always this question is relevant, and we in Russia can ask ourselves – whose lives are worth more? Those whom we consider to be Russians, or whom we arrogantly push beyond this definition?

Moreover, by confusing the concepts of “Russian” and “citizen of Russia” (of a multinational state), we put forward a harmful, dangerous and historically incorrect slogan “Russia for Russians”. And we consider this patriotism, while true patriotism is to know and love the best in oneself and learn the good of others.

So whose life is more important – a beggar from a criminal area or a rich and prosperous businessman? Who is more valuable to society in terms of economics and politics?

And what if, instead of comparing the value of a businessman and a beggar, we are offered to choose between the life of, for example, our brother or a stranger? It seems that even the most ardent humanists would choose the lives of those close to them.

We can forget about the limits of social groups, but when it comes down to it, we choose those who are closer and dearer. For the most part, people are so arranged – we are social beings, we need to unite with our own kind.

Humanity is a luxury

It would seem that love for all living things can be explained by a happy childhood in the circle of caring relatives. When parents protect, not condemn, and the world is filled with kindness. Those brought up in this way are less afraid of both people in general and those who are different from themselves.

This assumption has led to the suggestion that humanity is just an attribute of a luxurious life that a person can afford only when his own basic physical and psychological needs are satisfied.

In other words, it is the privilege of those who have the time and resources to worry about the global welfare of mankind.

But here we again return to examples from history, when people, risking their lives, saved class enemies and enemies of the state, hid outcasts doomed to death in basements. Or, having lost their homes due to floods, fires or earthquakes, shared the last with strangers.

So how do you define yourself? Who you are? Only a father, a husband, a professional, a Russian, a democrat… Or maybe a Man with a huge world hidden inside. And in this case, it will be easier for you to love people, and not categories, groups and labels.