| Understanding |
| In many ways, life can be seen as incredibly depressing. We live our short and turbulent lives, but for what purpose? We do not know who we are, why we are here, nor what we should be doing with our lives. The questions to ask are endless, and the abyss of our souls seems infinite. What I have needed many days in my life was reassurance that the quest for truth was a good one. People take their philosophy so seriously! As they should. In this little essay, I want to show you the reasons for not letting depressing philosophy make you depressing. The first existentialist belief (as those are quite popular) is the 1) lack of definite knowledge. Life is fundamentally uncertain, and nothing can ever be known for certain. Even Descartes' Cogito ergo sum has been refuted by Wittgenstein, so we no longer can prove that we exist because we can think. (although that can certainly be argued) We make all of these observations about physics and human physiology, and sometimes we even call them "laws." Totally indisputable, some would say. But they are not absolute truth, and neither is mathematics. (mathematicians would be the first to say such a thing, as so many things remain unknown) Math is built upon postulates which cannot be proven, they simply exist. In other words, we observed them often enough that we decided to make them quasi-laws. Even though these things cannot be proven, they continue to work for countless students of math. In physics, what stops you from putting your hand through a solid object? Atoms occupy such a small amount of space, why can't they just pass through each other? Explain it all you want, you can't prove why. Knowing something does not change what that something is. (secrets, although a good argument, are still considered secrets even if everyone knows it) You may never understand anything, but that should not stop you from living a life filled with theorems and postulates. The second tenet is the 2) lack of self-understanding. When you look deep into your soul, you will eventually realize that there is a level of complete emptiness. There is an elaborate network of postulates on top of this empty abyss which is beyond all understanding. The question is, how can I live without knowing who I am? Quite simply, I'd say, as you must be alive to ask that question. Not understanding life cannot stop you from living life. If you want to end your life, then you are seeking reasons for dying, not reasons for living. People find reasons for both everyday. It doesn't mean they are right, but it does help them live. If you are one of those intelligent chaps that NEEDS a reason desperately, tough beans. If you can't find a reason for living, perhaps you should work your mind on some good reasons for dying? Most resemble emotional pleas, so there is no reason for it at all. You can live and die without having a good reason, reality doesn't care if you have reached enlightenment yet. If that emptiness bothers you so, fill it with something! Music, reading, wisdom, emotional bonds, all of those things work fine. If you still can't, learn a new hobby or get a job. You do not have time to make yourself depressed when you are working to support a family. The last belief is not existentialist, at least not directly, but it is certainly a part of existence. Is every person inherently selfish? Are we seeing truth and wisdom for mankind, or are we seeking reassurance for ourselves? Isn't the Western tradition founded on the concept of human selfishness and how it contributes to a society? This argument has gone on for a millenia, and I will certainly not be the one to solve anything. The ego, which is our sense of individual wants and desires, has been worshipped and discarded by many people. Ayn Rand worships the individual, because he is his own man. Buddhists believe that the ego is not a thing, but a veil over our eyes. They believe that we are all part of a living soul, and individuality is an illusion. You can argue the ego any way you choose, but it is important to choose what makes the most sense to you. Belief can give relief. If you cannot decide, then why worry? If it is truly important to you, look into the matter. Eventually you will find something you DO agree with. Then, you can decide. It's as simple as that. To conclude, if something bothers you, research it! If you can't decide, the least you can do is to understand what everyone believes. One day you will realize that you actually believe something, and it will get much easier after that. Take life seriously, but never too seriously. You can never think too much, but you can think about one thing too much. Try to keep your mind active and flexible, and never neglect what is important to you. Follow that advice, and you'll be happy as a clam. Goodbye! The Dark Dachshund |