Why?: A response

As Thorax has said very well, the question of “Why?” has plagued the minds of many people, from today to ancient times. There are some things in this universe that we will probably not be able to answer any time in the near future, but this does not give one the right not to ponder such things. A life in which there are no difficulties or pain is extremely rare, and is probably due to the person not being reflective or even thinking, because such a life lacks the lows and the highs. Socrates once said, “The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living.” Philosophy is not just about old men sitting around a table asking questions like ‘Why?’ while stroking a white beard; philosophy helps one think about life and how to prepare for what lies ahead.

Philosopher Anthony Grayling put it this way: “Philosophy is a form of prophylaxis, part of the anticipation of living, involving thought in advance about how one would try to brace oneself in grief, or how one would try to cling to ideals and principles, beliefs and hopes, even when one is profoundly depressed, or faced with failure.” One has the obligation to look at themselves, analyze their beliefs and principles, and consider exactly what they hope to gain and accomplish in this one lifetime. Turning again to Anthony Grayling, “If when griefs are accumulating, one manages to cling to the belief that the best things in human life are still deeply valuable and worth pursuing, that is what it is to be morally courageous." Personal reflection is what is precious. If one cannot do this, they either are not intellectually capable or emotionally unwilling because they are afraid of what lies beneath.

There are answers to some questions posed by Thorax (the ones dealing with scientific ideas), but most are philosophical in nature, and to deal with those, I think the best way is to follow what I laid out above. If you don’t consider your life, then what is life except a repetitive, monotonous state of being? We must be intellectually honest and not afraid of what may happen. Embrace what you have now. This is the only life you are going to get. Make it worth something!

-FrankEinstein