In 'Strangers Drowning,' Larissa MacFarquhar explores the moral dilemmas faced by individuals who prioritize the needs of strangers over their own lives. Through compelling narratives, she examines the lives of extreme altruists and their struggles with the expectations of self-sacrifice. MacFarquhar delves into the psychology behind their decisions, raising profound questions about compassion and the limits of generosity. What drives someone to risk it all for the sake of another? This thought-provoking exploration challenges readers to reconsider their own beliefs about morality and the nature of humanity.
By Larissa MacFarquhar
Published: 2016
"The world is full of people who feel compelled to help others, often at their own expense, and in that selflessness lies a profound exploration of the human condition."
What does it mean to devote yourself wholly to helping others? In Strangers Drowning, Larissa MacFarquhar seeks out people living lives of extreme ethical commitment and tells their deeply intimate stories; their stubborn integrity and their compromises; their bravery and their recklessness; their joys and defeats and wrenching dilemmas. A couple adopts two children in distress. But then they think: If they can change two lives, why not four? Or ten? They adopt twenty. But how do they weigh the needs of unknown children in distress against the needs of the children they already have? Another couple founds a leprosy colony in the wilderness in India, living in huts with no walls, knowing that their two small children may contract leprosy or be eaten by panthers. The children survive. But what if they hadn’t? How would their parents’ risk have been judged? A woman believes that if she spends money on herself, rather than donate it to buy life-saving medicine, then she’s responsible for the deaths that result. She lives on a fraction of her income, but wonders: when is compromise self-indulgence and when is it essential? We honor such generosity and high ideals; but when we call people do-gooders there is skepticism in it, even hostility. Why do moral people make us uneasy? Between her stories, MacFarquhar threads a lively history of the literature, philosophy, social science, and self-help that have contributed to a deep suspicion of do-gooders in Western culture. Through its sympathetic and beautifully vivid storytelling, Strangers Drowning confronts us with fundamental questions about what it means to be human. In a world of strangers drowning in need, how much should we help, and how much can we help? Is it right to care for strangers even at the expense of those we are closest to? Moving and provocative, Strangers Drowning challenges us to think about what we value most, and why.
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“The world is full of people who feel compelled to help others, often at their own expense, and in that selflessness lies a profound exploration of the human condition.”
Strangers Drowning
By Larissa MacFarquhar
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Larissa MacFarquhar is an acclaimed American author and journalist, renowned for her insightful explorations of the complexities of human nature and morality. She is best known for her notable works, including 'Strangers Drowning: Stories of Fear and Compassion' and 'Correcting the Record: The Lin-Manuel Miranda Book.' MacFarquhar's writing often delves into the moral dilemmas faced by individuals and the societal implications of their choices, showcasing her skill in blending deep philosophical inquiry with compelling storytelling. Her distinctive style is characterized by its depth of thought, poignant detail, and a keen empathetic understanding of her subjects.
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