If you can only have one or the other, what would it be: Ability to pursue objective truth OR Eternal universal happiness?
Just finished "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. A challenging read for the mind. Putting myself back 50 years from now, I'd probably be unable to finish the book, because of the radical concept of an utopic realm it presented... Not sure if my naive mind in the society of that time would have allowed my eyes continuing on. But today, it seems a much closer possibility that perhaps the humanity should be pondering upon: would you be embracing such a world with arms wide open, or would you retreat in an attempt to preserve the old ways of life? Would you take the dose of virtue and happiness at the price of the active pursuits of truth? Would the world be a better place if peace and contentment became a simple universal gift, or would it find its greater value in the struggles of humanity through war and illness and God in times of loneliness?
Taking a look around me, many parts of this place falling into pieces, because of hatred, violence, yet crimes committed in the name of justice... such irony. There has been the butterfly effects of persons dedicating their lives to changing the world for the better as they know it. There has been efforts made, trying to reduce the sufferings, to end wars, to instill peace and global partnerships. All with a vision. Myself included, while striving for things I believe in, taking the actions that could possibly make a difference, how invisible it may be, I had a vision. It's fair to say, most humanitarianistic actions strive for a better standard of life and greater justice for the less fortunate, the ones that cannot enjoy the priviledges and freedoms others can.
Now the dilemma. If there is a final state of equilibrium of happiness or goodness for the entirety of humanity, which is the very THING that is being pursued by the humanitarians and perhaps the religious also (although in a different name), would it be worth it to give up the option of pursuing for truth and highest beauty, presuming it is possible through conditioning and presuming that the pursuit will interfere with the stability of happiness? Or is it better to have sufferings, is it better to have virtue be an entity to be worked towards, is it better to have inequalities and instabilities so there is always something to be bettered, to strive towards? Is it the process that makes us alive, or is it the finality of perfection? If our humanity had a choice between eternal happiness for all vs. pursuing meaning and betterment and virtue through sufferings, what would we choose?
"The more science discovers and the more conprehension it gives us of the mechanisms of existence, the more clearly does the mystery of existence itself stand out." --Aldous Huxley
One can be discouraged to dip into science at the face of diminishing spirituality. But for me, the pursuits of science has never looked so inviting, because why would I mind living amidst the mystery of existence? The constant reflection, the constant searching, till death, is not something to be afraid of. And if something is objectively the truth, it will continue to stand as the truth. If it takes a whole lifetime to not be figured out, I'd rather be in that process.
The dilemma remains. But peace be with me.
Taking a look around me, many parts of this place falling into pieces, because of hatred, violence, yet crimes committed in the name of justice... such irony. There has been the butterfly effects of persons dedicating their lives to changing the world for the better as they know it. There has been efforts made, trying to reduce the sufferings, to end wars, to instill peace and global partnerships. All with a vision. Myself included, while striving for things I believe in, taking the actions that could possibly make a difference, how invisible it may be, I had a vision. It's fair to say, most humanitarianistic actions strive for a better standard of life and greater justice for the less fortunate, the ones that cannot enjoy the priviledges and freedoms others can.
Now the dilemma. If there is a final state of equilibrium of happiness or goodness for the entirety of humanity, which is the very THING that is being pursued by the humanitarians and perhaps the religious also (although in a different name), would it be worth it to give up the option of pursuing for truth and highest beauty, presuming it is possible through conditioning and presuming that the pursuit will interfere with the stability of happiness? Or is it better to have sufferings, is it better to have virtue be an entity to be worked towards, is it better to have inequalities and instabilities so there is always something to be bettered, to strive towards? Is it the process that makes us alive, or is it the finality of perfection? If our humanity had a choice between eternal happiness for all vs. pursuing meaning and betterment and virtue through sufferings, what would we choose?
"The more science discovers and the more conprehension it gives us of the mechanisms of existence, the more clearly does the mystery of existence itself stand out." --Aldous Huxley
One can be discouraged to dip into science at the face of diminishing spirituality. But for me, the pursuits of science has never looked so inviting, because why would I mind living amidst the mystery of existence? The constant reflection, the constant searching, till death, is not something to be afraid of. And if something is objectively the truth, it will continue to stand as the truth. If it takes a whole lifetime to not be figured out, I'd rather be in that process.
The dilemma remains. But peace be with me.
I like your blog, Rannie.
ReplyDeleteSubjective peace is only peace in the presence of un-peace. That's just the way we are: we detect changes and differences, not absolutes.
To mitigate objective wrongs is something we should all strive to do, but we must first know reality to really help. Feeling, caring, loving...is not enough. necessary, but insufficient.
That's why for me, happiness is good, but not enough. kindness is good, but not enough. To serve, we must know HOW. In short, we need truth. we must educate ourselves as to the reality of the problems and their causes, to ensure that our kindness is not exacerbating the problems.
I'd like to think that we would choose eternal truth, because the fact is, our happiness doesn't survive us (for long). Truth does.