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BEING HUMANE
Marian Baltazar
Class of 1980, University of the Philippines College of Manila
AB Political Science
As the famous Mahatma Gandhi puts it, “The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being
humane.” Sometimes I wonder if we are living in a just and humane world. With all the unruly and inhumane
incidents happening around us, one cannot stop and think if we are still living in a humane world. When you
wake up in the morning and listen to the news, hearing all of these will break you up and make you utter a sigh.
You get to hear a lot of reported killings and inhumane treatments wherein most of the time scenes of the
crime are being flashed making it too gory for us to spare a glance.
Being humane is an act of compassion involving the inner depths of our hearts. There are some people who are
not really moved or affected by other people’s state or condition to the point of just taking them for granted.
This is what differentiates us, humans from the animals. But the question lies not on how we show love and
concern to the animal species. We are not faced with the dilemma that humans are the most important
creatures in the universe. Instead, we are faced with the realization of carrying this tremendous responsibility
that we must accept and face; it is the importance of human beings to human beings.
It is true and it is a fact that humans and animal creatures have a lot of differences that are implicit. We’re
both living in this nature that we were endowed with but only humans can understand study and challenge
nature by means of technology in ways animals cannot. Humans can store knowledge in ways animals cannot.
More importantly, we humans were given that task to be in charge of our planet, its environment and all
creatures here on earth. Therefore, being humane means being capable and ready to treat others in ways that
other animals cannot. It means accepting the fact that it is our role and responsibility to act as stewards of the
animals and of our planet.
Yes, being humane is being a sentinel to all that God has created in this universe. Moreover, it means seeing
the world through human eyes and from a human perspective. It is to assume the responsibility endowed by
our human condition. For me, there is more to it than being humane for it is applying the golden rule-“Do not
do to others what you do not want others to do unto you.” That is humanism!” You are not being humane if
you do the vice-versa, that is, you do to someone what you would not want someone to do unto you.
In other words, being humane is being kind to others, loving, compassionate and being considerate towards
others. In actuality, being humane is being patient and doing things in the right degree and manner. Being
humane is being able to take losses and endure insults! It really takes a lot of effort and guts to be humane in
all the aspects of life!
Questions for discussion:
1. What does it really mean to be humane?
2. Will you go out of your way to be humane? How will you do it?
3. Is being humane tantamount to bearing and enduring everything for the benefit of others? Why or why not?
4. Have you exercised being humane in all the aspects of your life? Cite those instances.
5. Are you a good steward who is responsible of all humanity? Explain your answer.