Perspective
Hindsight is, it seems, the only true sight, and only when we look back on things and discuss them with others do we tend to be able to truly put them into a reasonable perspective, something that sees their consequences and implications in the most realistic light. It is particularly amazing, I find, how much what we are doing right now or what we are involved in or what we are trying to read from other’s words and actions seems so amazingly significant at the time we are doing whatever it is we are involved in, compared with how insignificant they later seem. This is, I imagine, due to the hold that emotions seem to have over our ability to judge situations. It is always a worry to me how dependent we all are on such forces. I’d like to think that I am less susceptible than most, but how do I know this is not just because I hold positive feelings about the things I engage in? Maybe my perceived ability to ride through things that upset others is just because of a certain emotional set, not a lack of one. But again, this is something that changes with time. Our own point of view of events is incredibly significant in our ability to deal with them. The question is then whether or not there is a better set of views to hold in order to not be held back by emotions but only having them serve as bolstering, useful forces. For many years I have maintained that there is but while I’m still fairly sure of this I seem to make little progress towards it. Just maybe, human life should be something infused with passion for what is perceived to matter – for otherwise it seems we have little reason to do very much at all, aside from simple biological ones.
The worrying thing about all of this is that at the end of the day, I am faced with the arguments from pure utilitarianism that in fact any claims I make to be doing something with any kind of meaning and worth could always be derived from the positive emotional state that I seem to gain from such pursuits. It is depressing to consider the possibility that all of these high-minded claims we all try to make to living what we like to call rich and fulfilled lives in which we flourish potentially all collapse with startling rapidity into mere attempts to release certain chemicals in the brain. But I’m not sure this argument is quite so deadly as it sometimes seems. Perhaps happiness can be equated with something being ‘good’, as merely a definitional reaction to certain events which we see as either worthwhile, fun or interesting. I’m not going to try and develop this argument now as I’m not entirely sure why I sat down to write this post at all, but it is something to consider. I maintain my scepticism. I don’t know anything but merely work on through life according to my nature, and try to examine it as I go for if I did not, it would be just another life, even less significant on the scales of history than it already is.
So is there a useful conclusion from these considerations? One is, I believe, simply to keep such considerations in mind. When an event or person or idea overcomes the senses and dominates the mind’s thoughts as it twists through the day’s considerations, stepping back is a useful tool. Take things slowly, get other opinions, recognise the deficiencies of one’s own intellect as something that, when it cares, can let emotion get the better of it. Recognise unnecessary desires as something that experience shows will be fleeting but don’t destroy them, merely add them to an ever-growing list of considerations and ideas to be tried if life offers such opportunities. For you never know where you’ll go next, who you’ll meet, or what you’ll be doing – and if it will perhaps seem, at the time, to be of the utmost significance.
Sean,
Heard you’re coming to Balliol next year, found your blog and its really interesting. If you have any questions please email me, especially if you have any maths phil questions.
Love you
Pads