Overthinking as usual and I’m just going to blab a bit about the “preciousness” of life in JJK.
I think the JJK world is quite heavily influenced by Buddhist principles and beliefs. I could be wrong though; hence me writing this as I try to figure out my thoughts. It is my understanding that in Buddhism, every living creature’s life is precious. Life, birth, death are of importance.
Since there is a belief in reincarnation, every creature’s life is to be treasured as much as possible. From a compassionate point of view, every creature’s life is important to itself. As a human being with higher awareness (for, and of, others), we have a responsibility to care for them and protect. According to the belief over karma / the karmic cycle, this lends itself to a good life, and subsequent death and potentially the rebirth in the next life / realm. (This also explains the emphasis of a good death in JJK).
And from a reincarnation point of view, any animal could have been one’s parent through the infinite lives a soul can reincarnate in the karmic cycle. Thus killing an animal is considered cruel when one has this awareness of the preciousness of life and the soul. This is why many devout Buddhists observe vegetarianism...
In JJK, there is a rule that their powers must never be used to harm humans, which was exploited to use Toji to assassinate Riko to prevent Tengen from renewing its form. This rule was historically instated by Tengen themselves, who travelled to spread their beliefs (if I am not mistaken).
Now of course we understand as humans in this world, the importance of the survival of our race and we know the unspoken rules about morality, compassion, etc.
But going back to if “every life is precious” … I kinda wonder, why is sacrificing crows OK as a means to an end (Mei Mei) and sacrificing humans not OK?
Geto viewed those unable to evolve as the source of cursed spirits. He was willing and open to exterminating the entire human race in order to protect a few.
Gojo (and others I guess?) viewed some sacrifice as “acceptable” as a means to an end, or towards a better good/outcome. This includes sorcerers and students (sorry, but this is true).
I think to answer my own question: This becomes a debate about intentionality. And moral greyness. In our world, necessary sacrifice appears in various forms. We accept (sometimes with understandable difficulty) the fact that we simply can’t save everybody (humans, and any creature of our selection: e.g. dogs/cats but not a vermin). We are also OK with exterminating some creatures, especially if there is what we can rationalise as a just cause. We are selective. It depends on our worldview and what we cherish.
I see how this is what Gege wishes to do when he portrays different characters with different principles and intentions. They’re all debatable and their perspectives are valid (to themselves) but also questionable.
Mei Mei’s characterisation has been interesting where she can be pitted against those who are more righteous, say, like Nanami. Her morals have been depicted as sketchy anyway, as she is driven by the material, personal safety over that of other people, and her relationship with her brother is odd at best. She is one who is likely 100% OK with others (like the lives of infinite crows) being sacrificed for her personal interests.
Others in the recent chapters don’t seem to give much of a thought to the lives of humans, in fact the focus is again on their existences as sorcerers and humans are lowered to the level of “necessary sacrifice” (like ants or animals) towards the merger, for example. I guess this depicts the Heian brutality / worldview.
Tengen themselves were willing to sacrifice a person to ensure they could remain immortal and continue to manage the barriers in Japan. Again, is this what one can view as a necessary sacrifice? It probably highly depends on which character you’re asking. Yuki would say no, and Riko didn’t want to in the end either. Megumi didn’t want Yuji to die, but Yuji wanted to be the necessary sacrifice.
I don’t know where I’m going with this, but I just thought it was interesting.
I feel like my small brain is missing something though. Thoughts?
Anyone who studied philosophy and ethics care to enlighten me / share their views?