A state of intense indifference developing towards the traditions that constitute society, society's current problems, and the imaginations that will sustain society, is considered social apathy. Experts state that apathy is one of the deepest problems facing today's societies, and point out that it is a phenomenon with a significant impact on the multiplication of social problems. Experts emphasize that social apathy, arising due to authoritarian political administration, mechanization, metropolization, and status quo cultural monopolies, can be prevented through values education.
Can social apathy be prevented?
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, Head of the Sociology Department at Uskudar University, made evaluations about social apathy and shared important information on how it can be prevented.
Indifference to problems leads to social apathy
Stating that social apathy can be defined as an intense state of indifference developing towards the traditions that constitute society, society's current problems, and the imaginations that will sustain society, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı used the expressions: “Social apathy refers to the situation of not producing any context of thought, emotion, and action towards common values such as homeland, language, family, and education that form the basis of society; urgent needs such as justice, public works, and peace that perpetuate society; and unique material and cultural constructions that will carry society into the future.”
One of the deepest problems of contemporary societies…
Emphasizing that apathy is an important feature distinguishing humans from other living beings, Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı said, “For this reason, humans display a sensitive, that is, an ethical understanding towards themselves and their environment. We can say that apathy is one of the deepest problems particularly faced by today's societies, as well as a phenomenon with a significant impact on the multiplication of social problems. Especially today, as the effects of the climate crisis and environmental destructions begin to be felt and observed more concretely and on a larger scale, we see that criticisms within the scope of social apathy are directed at the structure and subject from ecological perspectives.”
Metropolization can also lead to social apathy
Stating that social apathy can emerge due to authoritarian political administration and status quo cultural monopolies, as well as modern life elements like metropolization and mechanization, Prof. Dr. Süleymanlı said, “The use of all its material and cultural power by the authority to make society's interests secondary within its own interests can lead to a state of social apathy. For this reason, it is possible to see the development of social apathy based on the limitation of social thought, emotion, and action power using instruments of coercion or consent.”
Social apathy can be prevented
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “One of the most important symptoms of social apathy is the society's failure to develop any context of emotion, thought, and action regarding its own foundations, current problems, and future imaginations.”
Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı continued: “If a society forgets its past, fails to recognize its current position, and loses its motivation for its purpose of existence in the future, then the existence of social apathy can be spoken of. Therefore, it is clear that a society that loses its memory, consciousness, and imagination is in a state of social apathy. Social apathy can be prevented. At this point, it is imperative to strive to build an interdisciplinary, in-depth, holistic, critical, and original approach to education that encompasses social life and the system. Developing an educational approach that strives to comprehend, understand, and transcend society's intellectual, emotional, and practical abilities, both materially and spiritually, can prevent social apathy.”
Sensitivity can be increased through values education
Emphasizing the need to develop an educational approach that will activate society's memory, consciousness, and imagination to prevent social apathy, Prof. Dr. Ebulfez Süleymanlı said, “It is extremely important to continuously create opportunities for thought and experience for society, focused on history, human rights, democracy culture, and developing original criticism. Education given during childhood and youth is of great importance in preventing social apathy. Because this period is when individuals' social awareness develops, social order begins to be understood, and fundamental values are acquired. Especially during these years, sensitivity to social issues and problems can be increased through values education. Furthermore, directing individuals in this age category towards volunteer activities aimed at increasing social responsibility awareness is also quite important. Individuals with a developed sense of social responsibility will thereby feel concern for others and perceive what they need to do to improve society as a duty.”