Pandora
I can certainly understand your viewpoint.
The complication there is that use of mind-altering substances has been going on for thousands of years. You can take it further in modern terms and say that the pharmaceutical companies have been promoting debasement with opioids, the same with alcohol and tobacco companies and their own promotions.
The question then is about those who use those “products”, meaning, the public. There are as many reasons as to why they are used as there are individuals. That in itself makes the asking of “why” a difficult thing to answer. Oh, you and many others could say it’s a debasement, an insult to a healthier way of being. But it would be a closed-circuit assessment and of little value in the wider periphery of societal concerns.
For example, you have heard of the story of Charlotte Figi? Read it. After doing so would you consider that a debasement? You might reply that no, that’s for a valid medical reason. But as you probably have noticed we live in a world where, again, reasons medical or otherwise are as varied as can be and ‘validity’ an ever-debatable notion. And if those reasons become so serrated that an individual is crying out for help then anything that brings that relief is welcomed regardless of the disapproval of others.
You are indeed fortunate if you have been able to live a life thus far where you have not debased your body and mind. But walk to the nearest window, look out and know that out there are billions who are looking for some relief from the pounding that even the simplest existence can give. Day in, day out.
You want real debasement that has nothing to do with drugs? Look no further than what’s happening in our government. If nothing is found as relief for that then the debasement is going to come crashing in through the window. Taking the parents away from innocent children who have barely begun to make sense of what life is about; where would you put that on the debasement scale? Don’t ask me for my opinion on that, it would probably put me on a list at Debasement Headquarters.
You want to take it further into lofty, metaphysical possibilities? For all we know the very aspect of just existing as physiological organisms may be considered a debasement of pure spirit by consciousnesses beyond our understanding. Let us hope - for all our sakes - that such a possibility is merely this writer’s license for fanciful extrapolation than the reality of the matter.
Daniel