Problematize the Obvious!!

Personal to political

arun simon
4 min readJan 18, 2025

This was one of the most common phrases of late Fr Arun D’Souza Sj, a phrase and attitude for which he is remembered by many of his students. He is not the first one to use this idea; problematisation is a concept used by philosophers like Heidegger & Deleuze; or even older ones like Kant …. and still older Plato. Surely I missed the names of many pioneers, remembering them all.

Problematize is not the same as creating problems (as we commonly understand the word) or to create troubles. I will like to think of several examples of this dynamic of problematizing, which despite being an academic concept, is so linked with human life.

Think about some of the mothers in our households — not much educated, house-wife with no external jobs. Taking care of children and preparing the food are two of their main tasks. Some of their activity of cooking is a beautiful example of problematization.

Think of a poor household which has rice everyday as the staple food; variety of vegetables and fish (and very rarely meat) are not much. There is a certain number of combinations possible. And it is predictable; this particular dish will come after a few days. There is a certain ordinariness; simple repetition; choices of dishes are limited.

Does some of those mothers problematize the situation? Yes, and what it means? They are ready to experiment with the available options, going beyond the traditional recipes; may be increasing one spice more or less; may be a larger experimentation. And through this, they create (produce) a variety. That is the beauty of problematization. One of the dangers possible is that some experimentations can fail; but they still dare and the family enjoy a variety with the limited options.

Even in richer households with greater choices, problematization can really create great wonders.

Think about a farmer cultivating rice in a traditional manner. He is getting a relatively good yield. Does he need to change? It depends on each one. But some can problematize that situation and take a certain risk; trying a different style in a small part of the plot; trying a crop in between; and many such varied options. Some of those responses are already experimented and tested; some may be creative ones. Some will fail; but problematization can reveal certain potentials which were otherwise hidden. Obviously people might shame you for experimenting in an already good yield producing field and failing. Risk is always associated with problematizing.

Think about a wonderful person having a decent life; but the relationship to God is one of fear. He is quite ritualistic and pious; he does most of things in the right way. But his life is not having a joy component. Yes, his life is stable, and probably he can manage it along. But it may not be so easy for others to be with him in the same boat. Now can we problematize the situation. Can he move away from a God of fear ? Yes, it is a risk; some comforts of his life will be lost? To what he will move. That is a choice for him to make. I would say, a God of love; or God of joy;

An important spiritual principle said to me in the early days of my Jesuit life was ‘You either grow or decay in spiritual life’; there is nothing like staying constant. The same can be applied to relationships too…

May be the same is important at all moments of our life. Problematizing opens up the pathways, to move away from the status quo. Obviously risk is part of the game.

I am not a great fan of capitalism and surely an opponent of neo liberal capitalism followed by Musk and Adani and co. But they are also the people who apply this technique of problematization to the maximum, to direct things towards their benefits. Yes, their capability to transform and innovate is much faster and stronger (hundreds or thousand times) than most of the ordinary individuals and organizations. When they take a path towards unsustainable growth with a huge inequality and no consideration of the poor and vulnerable, we can’t afford to stay stagnant and follow the path. We can and should problematize our situations and find responses that are sustainable, equitable, loving and just. Yes these efforts might be small; impact may be small; but sometimes, we can do that only. But it’s important to hope and continue to do that bit in hope.

--

--

arun simon
arun simon

Written by arun simon

A Jesuit with all the crazyness… Loves Jesus…Loves church, but loves to challenge too… Loves post modern philosophy & Gilles Deleuze.. Loves deep conversations…

No responses yet