global mourning

[edelsont]

I do not approve of my country's (the United States') having gone to war against Iran.

When we knew that it could happen, but before it had, I assumed that my reaction, when and if that day came, would be primarily one of anger (toward my own government).

That assumption turned out to be incorrect.

My saying this does not, however, indicate any shift from disapproval toward approval.  The shift is not in what I think, but in what I feel.

That does not fit within the framework of moral judgment.  It is simply grief.

Comments

[asthfghl]

Interesting. What turned anger to grief?

grief

[edelsont]

I don't know for sure what brought about the change, but here's my best guess. When I was angry, I was reacting as an American, focusing on one part of my perception: that wrong had been done in my name. Then I widened my perspective, and reflected on another part of (what I believe to be) the most likely outcome: that this war -- like most -- will have no winners, only losers. Every participating country will end up worse off than it was before. So will the world as a whole, for that matter. I make no argument for the accuracy of these predictions. But given that I believe them, perhaps it will be evident how that could lead to grief.