World Views.
True it is, that at some point in most people’s lives up will pop, the drum roll questions of why do I exist and what is the purpose of life?
They are rather large questions and they may well have been at the heart of many a philosophical age but I believe the answer does not necessarily need to be found from the one source. There are numerous and varied institutions that are intent on claiming unchangeable versions of the one and only truth to answer the aforementioned questions. I have tried to make some sort of sense out of the competing philosophies by dividing the belief of an afterlife and creator from those that promote a way of conducting their own human behaviour. Some theories simply pose the question of where is the evidence for a supernatural entity?
It could be said that the purpose of life is bound up with other people and that existence is a fact. However life came about, continuing life seems a good idea, the human form has a purpose and getting on with my fellow man appears to be a positive goal and many people may like to stop there...
I thought first, would it make sense to choose a set of moral values which to a certain extent already are reflected in the society established laws and social conventions? Yet I am still free to consider more complex moral decisions and on reflection make a considered judgement, this is important as circumstances can make a significant difference to the outcome.
What if my new-found moral compass should conflict with a particular life philosophy? Should I forgo that world view, lose whatever it may promise and stand true to my inner feelings? It is a convention that forms the need to state a person’s particular belief or non-belief? That is fine but what happens when it comes to political ambitions and there is an established history of only those of a particular view winning in that competition. It may well be a great number of people wear a cloak of stated world views although, if their conscience ruled, would act differently.
It was at school that for me the reality of life presented itself. I happened to be first in the line of children waiting to enter school. It was after break time, when a trio of fellow classmates barged me out of line. Outraged at their arrogance, I decided to reclaim my position. I had been reading Tom Brown’s School Days and Biggles, so having decided to act from their advice I concentrated on the leader of the trio who was shorter and lighter than me. I stepped forward with determination only to fly backwards over the crouched body of one of the others who had placed themselves directly behind my lower legs. The back of my head smacked hard on the tarmac of the playground and instantly I had a strange taste in my mouth. I had inadvertently bitten my own tongue. Before I could regain my feet the teacher had blown the whistle for the long line of children to enter school. From this event I gained wisdom. Being right does not automaticity guarantee victory. In fact there are better ways to sway opinion rather than by using direct force.
Choosing a world view could involve gaining knowledge of existing philosophies or creating a personal understanding based on science. It could mean fully appreciating the values used by followers of a stated behaviour. Often human actions do not reflect stated philosophies of passive benevolence to their fellow man. It could be that my world view must stand on its own to retain its integrity.
The purpose of life is a personal question and will have many different answers but what is clear is that imposing world views no matter what the conviction of truth on others, is for me, not morally justified.
They are rather large questions and they may well have been at the heart of many a philosophical age but I believe the answer does not necessarily need to be found from the one source. There are numerous and varied institutions that are intent on claiming unchangeable versions of the one and only truth to answer the aforementioned questions. I have tried to make some sort of sense out of the competing philosophies by dividing the belief of an afterlife and creator from those that promote a way of conducting their own human behaviour. Some theories simply pose the question of where is the evidence for a supernatural entity?
It could be said that the purpose of life is bound up with other people and that existence is a fact. However life came about, continuing life seems a good idea, the human form has a purpose and getting on with my fellow man appears to be a positive goal and many people may like to stop there...
I thought first, would it make sense to choose a set of moral values which to a certain extent already are reflected in the society established laws and social conventions? Yet I am still free to consider more complex moral decisions and on reflection make a considered judgement, this is important as circumstances can make a significant difference to the outcome.
What if my new-found moral compass should conflict with a particular life philosophy? Should I forgo that world view, lose whatever it may promise and stand true to my inner feelings? It is a convention that forms the need to state a person’s particular belief or non-belief? That is fine but what happens when it comes to political ambitions and there is an established history of only those of a particular view winning in that competition. It may well be a great number of people wear a cloak of stated world views although, if their conscience ruled, would act differently.
It was at school that for me the reality of life presented itself. I happened to be first in the line of children waiting to enter school. It was after break time, when a trio of fellow classmates barged me out of line. Outraged at their arrogance, I decided to reclaim my position. I had been reading Tom Brown’s School Days and Biggles, so having decided to act from their advice I concentrated on the leader of the trio who was shorter and lighter than me. I stepped forward with determination only to fly backwards over the crouched body of one of the others who had placed themselves directly behind my lower legs. The back of my head smacked hard on the tarmac of the playground and instantly I had a strange taste in my mouth. I had inadvertently bitten my own tongue. Before I could regain my feet the teacher had blown the whistle for the long line of children to enter school. From this event I gained wisdom. Being right does not automaticity guarantee victory. In fact there are better ways to sway opinion rather than by using direct force.
Choosing a world view could involve gaining knowledge of existing philosophies or creating a personal understanding based on science. It could mean fully appreciating the values used by followers of a stated behaviour. Often human actions do not reflect stated philosophies of passive benevolence to their fellow man. It could be that my world view must stand on its own to retain its integrity.
The purpose of life is a personal question and will have many different answers but what is clear is that imposing world views no matter what the conviction of truth on others, is for me, not morally justified.
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