José Saramago's The Book Of Exhortations With Blindness

In our world today, there is an allegorical blindness that exists has many different causes. Some people choose to be blind when they choose to ignore what is going on in the world around them. José Saramago calls on The Book of Exhortations with ‘Blindness’ epigraph: “If you can see, look, if you can look, observe.” This quote is especially important to Saramago as he believes that passivity and indifference are the worst sins a human can be guilty of committing. He is saying many things in his use of this quotation.
José Saramago believes that passivity and indifference, not only allow unnecessary suffering to continue in the world, but actually may add to the suffering. We were blessed with the gift of sight for many reasons. One of

which is so we can act wisely upon what we see. When we see, we should combine what we see with our intellect and observe to take action and help those who could use our assistance. When we choose not to utilize our gift of sight, or worse, choose to use it negatively, we take it for granted and we become allergically blind. In my life, I have done many things that reflect blindness. I have treated people disrespectfully and have even chosen to look at people with judgment. As Michael Lyon said, “you cannot help someone when you pass off judgment on them” (personal communication, October 4, 2017). I was failing myself and everyone else when I didn’t treat everyone with dignity and instead judged them. Just as though the old man with the eye patch judged the girl with the dark glasses, he was not able to help her and instead made the situation worse. The old man with eyepatch also says, “who is that witch” (Page 250). He is extremely judgmental which is his blindness. Judgment is everywhere in our society today and is a major reflection of blindness and the improper use of our gift of sight.
I can learn and take away many things from this book. I have continued to learn to be less selfish and to be less judgmental. I can also take away the idea that it is wrong to not use the gifts we have been given, because we can inspire positive change if we utilize our tools. Saramago says that things or beliefs are only as good as those who can see them. This really made me think. Organizations are only as good as those who can see their mission and act on it. Society as well is only as good as those who can see that it must be preserved. Our moral compasses can be shaped by changing ourselves and choosing to observe and not be passive in our lives. This will lead to better people and ultimately a better society.