A Consideration of the Differences in Human Character, from "Some Answered Questions"

Guest Post by Megan Victory

Abdul Baha explains that there are three kinds of character in man, the innate, the inherited, and the acquired.  Here again a triad of aspects is considered to explain a spiritual concept.  In Some Answered Questions we read that, “Now, someone might say that, since the capacity and aptitude of souls differ, how can one reproach the wicked for it is their capacities themselves that are different. Such difference in capacity must inevitably lead to a difference in character.”

(Abdul Baha) www.bahai.org/r/026197394

It is truly incredible what the body will adjust to.  In one of The Master’s given examples a human’s body adjusts to ingesting a few grams of opium everyday.  It is explained that, after some time, the innate “capacity and disposition” of the human becomes changed, “through variation of habit and training.” (Abdul Baha)  It may not be made clear in the text what a few grams of opium can do to a human’s ability to function when consistently applied over the course of many years.  A few grams of opium, or crack/cocaine, or ounces of alcohol, with sustained use over time, does damage to a human, their family, and the entire community when left unchecked.  It is a perversion of the innate goodness of a human’s nature to ingest poison, then cause harm to loved ones for the sake of said poison.  Abdul Baha continues and explains, “It is not on account of their innate capacity and disposition that one reproaches the wicked, but rather on account of that which they themselves have acquired.” (Abdul Baha)

An acquired taste, like an affinity for the spice of chilis or the bitterness of coffee, becomes a point on which the body pivots from not experiencing pleasure through an activity, to experiencing such pleasure that the person seeks out this activity.  An acquired taste for coffee can be damaging to the human body, if coffee is ingested at unsafe levels over sustained periods of time.  The same could be applied to any acquired taste, even things that are not food, even things like greed or violence.  It is possible to consider emotions, attitudes, and ideas as acquired tastes.  For example, it is often said that no one is born racist - racism is a system of beliefs that is taught - and people learn these ideas somewhere.  At least one article online calls racism a “spiritual disease” but for purposes of this essay let us consider racism as an acquired taste.  If we succeed, the idea of all prejudices, such as racism, sexism, classism, intolerance, and all forms of violence, as acquired tastes could really change our perspective about people and their problems.

There are parts of the human character and capacity that are tools, which can be used for the benefit or detriment of mankind.  Abdul Baha gives the example of greed, considering that someone who is greedy in acquisition of knowledge of sciences, “...would be most praiseworthy.”  Instead of this example of greed, another tool available to humans is violence.  If violence is used to defend against the attack of a predator, it could be considered good.  If violence is used as a means to control human behavior, it could be considered bad.  In either case, violence is an acquired taste, a behavior that is trained into someone over time.  In another essay I wrote that the best fighters train to create calluses on their hands so they don’t feel the impact of their own punches.  In our modern human society, how many of us are trained with calluses of all kinds to numb the painful sensations of our own acquired tastes.

There was a study done decades ago about addiction.  In the study, some rats were addicted to a substance through their water supply.  The cruelty of humans is unmatched, but the scientists were able to show the importance of community and socialization through the lens of addiction.  The scientists proved that community is more important than substances when the addicted rats chose the clean water over the substance-laced water so they could be part of the rat community, or “Rat Park.”  If community is the pivot point where an acquired taste for substances, or even an acquired taste for violence, could be curbed, then the Baha’i Faith truly has the prescription for humanity in this day.  There are plenty of write-ups about the Rat Park online: https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/what-does-rat-park-teach-us-about-addiction

It seems that within one lifetime, acquired tastes can change.  There are those humans who were raised with a taste for violence and substances as part of their environment, as an ever-present scent in the air.  However, when one is introduced to the idea that humanity is created noble, that original sin isn’t the all-encompassing damnation they were taught, there could be a glimmer of hope like one ray through the clouds.  If enough rays of light break through, the clouds of habit and environment fall away over time.  When it is said the Baha’i Faith is the pivot point, maybe it is the pivot point away from where human oneness seems unpleasant to our acquired tastes of division and self-defense.  Over time, the daily habit of ingesting the writings, and supplications to God, allows us to redirect our focus from consistently evaluating the threats of the world, to consistently appreciating the greatness of the world’s Creator.  The pivot point where human oneness becomes pleasant and highly sought-after because the power of community has reshaped our worldview, or even softened our calluses.