Purpose of Life (ii)
This piece is a continuation of the previous work 'Purpose of Life' and is a revision of its two tier approach. This two tier purpose concerned itself with survival and of continuing in ones existence and the acquisition of knowledge, however should we consider those individuals unable to communicate their experiences of sensory input and are thus unable to display knowledge i.e. the comprehension of information.
If one cannot know what it is like to be a bat, can one hope to be understand the guarded mind that lies without expression of itself? Put bluntly, as current science stands, no. This then poses the question that if such persons (and person is used intentionally) are unable to express knowledge in ways commonly observed through speech, action and reaction, then according to the previous proposal, are they then to be classed not as man but animal, achieving only their own survival through the involuntary continuation of organ function? Here we must note that whilst the acquisition of knowledge of such individuals cannot be proved, it must not be discounted and taken for non existence on grounds of current scientific limitation since it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the functioning of the mind of a man held captive by an uncooperative body should be just as well developed and knowledgeable as that of a man who believing his words without consequence should take to his bed and learn to cease all displays of consciousness.
Whilst a host of difficulties here arise as to the nature of the mind in relation to the brain which may or may not be capable of directing bodily expression, should we remain rigid in our requirements of some proof of knowledge acquisition as an essential component in the purpose of life which here is debatable, with knowledge remaining the great divide between man and beast, whilst our lived experience of the world about us does not allow such persons to be classed as less than man with purpose, what then shall we say? It seems this raises a significant flaw in the previously proposed two tier argument as it does not allow for the application of common sense. As such a third tier of purpose is here presented, that is, the ability for moral development in ones fellow man.
The act of being tended to by others allows for the development of virtues by both parties. There virtues not only promote a moral code in the community but allows the simultaneous migration of knowledge from passive to active through its application in meeting the requirements of the vulnerable person. As knowledge deepens through the lived experience of its application, the capacity for continued survival grows also as such knowledge when directed by the moral compass may drive forward the sciences and skills for extension and improvement of life.
This three fold approach to the purpose of life 1. To continue to survive 2. To acquire knowledge 3. To promote the virtues and moral compass of others - allows for the core of the self to be nurtured in its state of existence.
This piece is a continuation of the previous work 'Purpose of Life' and is a revision of its two tier approach. This two tier purpose concerned itself with survival and of continuing in ones existence and the acquisition of knowledge, however should we consider those individuals unable to communicate their experiences of sensory input and are thus unable to display knowledge i.e. the comprehension of information.
If one cannot know what it is like to be a bat, can one hope to be understand the guarded mind that lies without expression of itself? Put bluntly, as current science stands, no. This then poses the question that if such persons (and person is used intentionally) are unable to express knowledge in ways commonly observed through speech, action and reaction, then according to the previous proposal, are they then to be classed not as man but animal, achieving only their own survival through the involuntary continuation of organ function? Here we must note that whilst the acquisition of knowledge of such individuals cannot be proved, it must not be discounted and taken for non existence on grounds of current scientific limitation since it is not beyond the realms of possibility that the functioning of the mind of a man held captive by an uncooperative body should be just as well developed and knowledgeable as that of a man who believing his words without consequence should take to his bed and learn to cease all displays of consciousness.
Whilst a host of difficulties here arise as to the nature of the mind in relation to the brain which may or may not be capable of directing bodily expression, should we remain rigid in our requirements of some proof of knowledge acquisition as an essential component in the purpose of life which here is debatable, with knowledge remaining the great divide between man and beast, whilst our lived experience of the world about us does not allow such persons to be classed as less than man with purpose, what then shall we say? It seems this raises a significant flaw in the previously proposed two tier argument as it does not allow for the application of common sense. As such a third tier of purpose is here presented, that is, the ability for moral development in ones fellow man.
The act of being tended to by others allows for the development of virtues by both parties. There virtues not only promote a moral code in the community but allows the simultaneous migration of knowledge from passive to active through its application in meeting the requirements of the vulnerable person. As knowledge deepens through the lived experience of its application, the capacity for continued survival grows also as such knowledge when directed by the moral compass may drive forward the sciences and skills for extension and improvement of life.
This three fold approach to the purpose of life 1. To continue to survive 2. To acquire knowledge 3. To promote the virtues and moral compass of others - allows for the core of the self to be nurtured in its state of existence.
By Johannon Davis
The Philosophy Takeaway 'The Meaning of Life' Issue 29
