The Sorcerer's Apprentice

This is a very old tale about the unforeseen consequences of hubris, believing that partial knowledge is adequate and general ineptitude is of no importance. 

Possibly the best known version of this tale is the poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, written in 1797. This tells of a sorcerer’s apprentice who is meant to carry out various tasks while the sorcerer himself is temporarily absent. 

While cleaning, the apprentice becomes tired of carrying pails of water. So he uses his (limited) powers to enchant a broom to carry out the work. 

The trouble begins when the apprentice doesn’t know how to stop the broom. He tries to stop the broom by splitting it in half but the two halves now increase the speed of their activities by carrying in so much water that the room is flooded.

Fortunately the sorcerer returns and breaks the spell. 

The moral of the story is that only masters, with the requisite knowledge, should invoke powerful forces.

Goethe’s version is a possible rewrite of a very similar ancient Roman story narrated by Lucian (about 140 CE) that follows a similar theme which emphasises the power of magic or technology turning against the insufficiently wise or knowledgeable person invoking it.  

Now, in today’s world with technology of previously unimaginable power, Man’s moral and ethical capabilities to harness it for the good of the World in general is found to be wanting or so I believe. 

These old tales are worth recalling. I think particularly of the “World’s” response to the inescapable effects of changes to the climate brought about largely through the unfettered use of fossil fuels. 

The use of these fuels are supported because they are “good for the economy”, therefore are to be considered as “good” for all. Especially for the wealthy – the shareholders that invest in the companies that produce or use these fuels. 

It apparently matters not that “science” informs us all that the environment, the “world” that supports all we know, is being damaged at an ever increasing rate.

Ignore the science - it’s all about “money” you see!  

The trouble is that if the environment is damaged further, it will become increasingly difficult for life in general to exist. Only then will it become apparent that without people (and all that supports life on Earth), there will be no money, no companies to invest in and no shareholders demanding ever increasing dividends from evermore profitable companies. 

To me, it is blindingly obvious that PEOPLE and the ENVIRONMENT that supports all Life forms should be the focus of all – not money, however useful this may be in certain circumstances. 

Now, today, we have the COVID19 virus that is roiling the “economies” of all countries and killing thousand of people. The astonishing difference in the response is that “science” is apparently now paramount in informing us how to contend with this devastating outbreak.    

The blatant hypocrisy evident in this about face is extraordinary.

The “economy” is going to suffer you see! Simple.