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Benedict Arnold

What would you say or do?

There is a story form Jean Paul Sartre where a an in his 20s is faced with a dilemma.  He is living in Nazi occupied France. His brother has been killed in the war.  This young man is the only person to tend to his elderly and ill mother.  The dilemma, should this man remain with his mother and take care of her or join the resistance and fight the Nazis? 

Posted - March 4, 2017
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Responses


  • Its a matter of his priorities, and hers.  
     For my part, it would be important to assess Momma's prognosis and her feelings on my intent to fight. Would she wish me to avenge my brother or not risk losing another son. While she lives, her frailty is a distraction, a liability. If her death was imminent, the decision is easier. 
      March 4, 2017 7:27 PM MST
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  • Mother is ill. She has no one else but this remaining son to care for her.  She may die in months or weeks. Her son presence would comfort her and help sustain her, a huge difference in her life. The son's participation in the resistance would be a small contribution in an honorable, justice struggle.But it might last only hours and make small difference.
      March 4, 2017 7:37 PM MST
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  • Exactly. Momma's welfare comes first. The Resistance won't die without me. 
      March 4, 2017 7:42 PM MST
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  • Yes. But the difficulty is that others are fighting and dying for liberation form a great evil while the son stays home. 
      March 4, 2017 8:01 PM MST
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  • Clearly his duty lies with his mother. If she can't survive without him then he has no choice. It may be possible to compromise and serve with the maquis as well. 
      March 4, 2017 8:41 PM MST
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  • Dear Whistle6,

    First of all, I would like to know...did Sartre say how he would resolve the predicament?

    * * *
    I will offer Jean Paul a parallel story from Sufism: long ago, when camels were the transportation, a young man had the opportunity to journey to Mecca...extremely important in Muslim countries, at least once in your lifetime.

    But just as the camel caravan was pulling out, his elderly mother got sick, needed him. After great agonizing, he decided he could not leave her...thus missing forever the sacred obligation. Well then, Muhammad began to come in the young man's dreams, personally teaching him the sacred way of love!

    * * *
    ...the point being, as others mention here, family obligations are just really really important.
      March 4, 2017 10:08 PM MST
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  • As I recall Sartre's answer was that there is no answer.  One just chooses.  
      March 16, 2017 6:29 PM MDT
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  • That seems consistent with what (little) I know of Sartre...
      March 16, 2017 6:54 PM MDT
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