One might say that life is the great experience but
experience predominantly is what shapes our beliefs. But how many people really
believe this and how important are our beliefs?
The basis of philosophy and the world’s great
wisdom streams is predicated on what is believed to be the truth and how this
is translates into living a meaningful life.
That is in terms of the guiding principles on how
to live and informs that sense of self. That sense of self that allows us to
feel reasonably satisfied with our existence, given the emotions will give high
and lower points as a natural interpretation to how we feel about our life in
general.
But, the hand of fate seems to cast its mysterious
shadow over us just as things appear to be going well. Inevitably, what is
unexpected arises effortlessly to our consternation, to shatter the beliefs
previously held.
Like it or not most will change their beliefs in
the light of such earth shattering experiences. They may not be earth
shattering to others, but that’s not the point, it’s how they are viewed in the
mind of the individual. Acknowledging that event can be a watershed moment, to
enable one to move on with a fresh outlook of what is believed and a renewed
sense of self.
I think its part of the business of being human.
It’s what seems to be the basis that overcome the trials and tribulations of
tumultuous climatic events that most likely might have shattered the beliefs of
those ancient tribespeople. Instead they most likely adopted different beliefs
that allowed them to cope and even prosper. Its most likely a part of our primordial soup from whence life first evolved, but that's another subject.
Sure, some might pride themselves in saying they
have remained true to what they believed, but in my opinion that can be the
result of not wanting to face up to reality.
Religion and philosophy should never be afraid of
an evolution in thinking that means our beliefs will change during our life.
The man who holds fast to the teachings and beliefs of his youth notwithstanding
life’s experience, in my view, denies what it is to be human. The stoics have a
point to make, but not to take it to an extreme. Others are free to disagree,
but I feel it is our experiences that shape our beliefs. That is not to say we
don’t start out with evolving beliefs, that stand us in good stead, but they
will change given our momentous life experiences.
Everything in moderation was Aristotle's call to
embrace a virtuous life, to leave room for modifications and renewal along
life’s long and winding road.
5 comments:
Can't find anything to disagree with there. It does show, perhaps, that it might be only the lives that suffer traumas that end up being worthwhile.
It does seem that way Tom.
‘One has to abandon altogether the search for security, and reach out to the risk of living with both arms. One has to court doubt and darkness as the cost of knowing.’
― Morris L. West
Best wishes
Yes I agree experience shapes our beliefs and can expand beliefs if we remain open to new information. I think beliefs also shape experience via choices and sometimes limit our ability to see what's actually true.
It is quite possible for people to go blissfully through life never giving a thought about such things; being productive and happy. I have known far too many people, many of them relatives now estranged, who wait for some authority to tell them what they think about the world around them. A sort of blind faith gets them through.
Those who examine their life to the point of a conversion are actually rare in my experience. Even those, often settle for the first firm ground they find. I think Tom is correct about the positive effect of trauma; many become seekers of truth and never settle for someone else's path. Experience is truly their teacher. They call it the road less travelled for a reason I think, Lindsay.
Hi Halle,
Yes, I think the problem arises when one identifies too closely with beliefs to the extent the mindset will search furiously for existing validation of long held points of view rather than seriously consider any alternatives. The mind doesn’t like that which is presented as a challenge to which it identifies itself, as in the sense of self.
But, I think it’s hard to tell the extent to which many can still sail through life as you suggest, happy and content on the basis of a blind faith to cast aside either personal responsibility or to ever consider alternatives. I think your experiences might offer a good insight and mirror those of Kierkegaard, nearly 200 years ago. Traumatised by the loss of his siblings, who died as he entered adulthood, he devoted the rest of his life to his quest for meaning that rallied against the then philosophical and religious views, many of which still persist today. As a dour Lutheran he opted for a simple gospel orientated faith that rallied against labelling- label me and you negate me.
In that respect he was a fierce opponent of Pauline theology as he posited the Pauline GOD was one constructed in the mind of Paul, which encompasses some of those ideas that may be responsible for the type of thinking you mention, that gave rise to estrangement.
Personally, I have tried to resist this tendency myself to always identify my beliefs when presenting discussion papers to a group, for instance I will begin by saying this paper suggests......and follow that up with confirmation the content doesn’t necessarily coincide with my all of my own views. No doubt, as a Teacher, you have employed something similar, albeit, there may be certain rules and conventions for convenience that are accepted. But as you say, many will resist any introspection that might provide a more enlightened inclusive view, to allow a relationship to flourish rather than to be fractured to the extent it is smashed.
Best wishes
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