Recently, I’ve delved deeply into Nihilism and its philosophical relatives, Existentialism and Absurdism. While intriguing, I found their premises somewhat wanting. My perspective might seem in stark contrast, but I’m not only here to establish a new doctrine—but to address and counter existing ones. An ideology, like a tree, once rooted, branches out extensively. To eradicate it, one must address its roots. These philosophies largely revolve around the absence of divine presence in a world devoid of religious belief, sidestepping what Albert Camus termed “philosophical suicide”. Yet, I’ll leave theological discussions about God’s existence to clerics. Instead, my aim is to philosophically challenge these viewpoints.
Our entry into this world is shrouded in ignorance—neither aware of the past nor the future. This lack of knowledge underscores our insignificance in the vast cosmic theater. Yet, every entity, be it as minuscule as an ant or as immense as a celestial body, plays a vital role. Remove ants or mosquitoes, and entire ecosystems falter. This suggests that essence does, indeed, precede existence. Each of us, regardless of our magnitude, contributes to the grand narrative of Earth. At our core, our essence gravitates towards benevolence, guiding us on our journey, whether it’s directed by divinity or driven by knowledge, all to leave Earth slightly better than we found it. But it’s the self-crafted “impetus” that fuels our ambitions, propelling us to realms previously thought unreachable. In essence, while humanity inherently seeks goodness and yearns to leave a benevolent mark, it’s the impetus that empowers us to manifest these ideals. Thus, in this framework, essence preludes existence, and existence gives way to impetus.
A nihilist’s outlook, in my view, borders on self-defeat. A life devoid of purpose or aim portends despair. If one’s belief system omits a higher power, it often accentuates the looming inevitability of death. But why squander our roles on the majestic stage of life? When every tree, every sunbeam fulfills its cosmic duty, why do some humans disrupt this harmonious cycle, becoming prisoners of their own minds?
Within human existence, autonomy is an inherent gift, offering individuals the capacity to make independent choices. This gift, however, remains intricately linked to the collective good of mankind, as a moral tether that guides the trajectory of decisions. Through the dynamic interplay with external events and forces, this tether can loosen, allowing the individual’s autonomous will to unfurl and shape their path. Thus, human agency is sculpted not only by internal desires but also by the reactions of the world, untethering free will and forging a profound connection between personal autonomy and the evolving landscape of experience.
From birth until the full maturation of the brain, a person’s internal motivations are often sculpted by external influences. Paramount among these are the roles that parents play, imprinting their ideologies, beliefs, and even the nascent spark of individual impetus. Yet, as the brain develops and individuals begin to act and react to their surroundings, many begin to critically assess these inherited convictions.
The Socratic method becomes a tool for some during this stage, allowing them to challenge and reformulate their beliefs. It’s often during these transformative years that many are perceived as rebellious or “problematic.” This is a period marked by the abandonment of imposed moralities and the forging of one’s personal ethos. It’s a rite of passage where inherited beliefs are cast aside in favor of self-defined principles.
However, only those lacking resilience remain tethered to the precepts of their predecessors. Even so, it’s essential to recognize that personal beliefs, often perceived as internally generated, are invariably shaped by external factors, be they societal norms, cultural imprints, or environmental circumstances. True tranquility, it seems, is found when one can extricate oneself from these external pressures, allowing for a genuine introspection, a mastery of self, and the attainment of a harmonious existence.
Throughout the annals of history, the law has been an instrumental tool, a framework attempting to regulate human behavior and ensure societal cohesion. But a cursory examination of historical trajectories suggests that laws alone are insufficient to create a thriving society.
Let’s consider the ever-evolving nature of legal codes. From the ancient edicts of Hammurabi to our modern-day constitutions, legal systems have undergone continual revision and refinement. If laws were the singular pillars of societal well-being, why then did they demand constant amendment? The answer lies in the dynamic nature of human societies and the underlying premise that the essence of ‘good’ is a fluid concept, not entirely modifiable.
While laws set boundaries for actions deemed unacceptable, they don’t necessarily inculcate values or promote genuine ethical behavior. They serve as deterrents, punishing transgressions rather than fostering a culture of inherent goodness. Without an underlying moral compass, laws become mere stopgaps. It is the individual’s internal sense of ‘good’ that fills the gaps where the law may be silent, ambiguous, or even lagging.
Moreover, laws often play catch-up to societal norms and ethics. If we relied solely on legal codes to dictate morality, societal progression would stagnate. It was the intrinsic understanding of justice, fairness, and equality—our innate sense of ‘good’—that championed causes like civil rights, long before the legal systems caught up.
In essence, for a society to not just survive but thrive, it requires a symbiotic relationship between codified laws and the intrinsic morality of its populace. While laws provide the structural backbone, it’s the pervasive spirit of goodness, the inherent desire to do right by oneself and others, that imbues a society with life, propelling it forward. The continued evolution of laws, from Hammurabi’s era to today, is a testament to this intricate dance between external regulation and internal morality.
Samnehs Blogs 