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February 24, 2007

need for meaning

So I’m sitting in a conference session of “The Society of Christian Philosophers”, listening to a paper discussing God’s actualization of the best possible worlds and thinking that existentialists like Sarte might have been on to something in their insistence upon meaning. It is not that all these arguments aren’t interesting or that they may not even serve some purpose in winning over the respect of presently nonsympathetic nontheists, I’m just not sure that the questions Christian philosophers are answering are the ones that the world wants answered. Perhaps society may grant that God exists and yet still be puzzled over how exactly his existence matters to life. There may be a great metaphysically absolute principle through which God’s existence is proved necessary, but the narrative that explains how this absolute is to be understood and embraced still needs to be told. Oh mighty intellectual mind of subtle distinctions and persuasions tell me whether you have proved anything that explicates the absurdities of this life of mine Philosopher will you sit down and show and tell us how you use your ideas to bring you solace as you sleep.

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February 16, 2007

selfish verses sanctified

"Everyone is selfish; everyone is doing what he believes will make himself happier," is philosopher Harry Brown's particular modern echo of the classic philosophy of ethical egoism espoused early in the 4th century BC by Epicurus. What is particularly alarming about this theory is that it is not only descriptive in its claim that people selfishly pursue their own ends, but it also condones this state of affairs as appropriate to ethical action.

In response to this theory, Thomas Jefferson in a letter to Thomas Law in 1814 wrote:

"Self-interest, or rather self-love, or egoism, has been more plausibly substituted as the basis of morality. But I consider our relations with others as constituting the boundaries of morality. With ourselves, we stand on the ground of identity, not of relation, which last, requiring two subjects, excludes self-love confined to a single one. To ourselves, in strict language, we can owe no duties, obligation requiring also two parties. Self-love, therefore, is no part of morality. Indeed, it is exactly its opposite."

What are we to make though of the pious individual whose self-proclaimed interests are best expressed in actions aimed at helping others. Are we to follow Kant's dismissal of these actions from the category of the ethical because they are not performed from a motivation of duty but rather pleasure? It seems that to serve others and find one's satisfaction therein is rather the ideal goal of the ethical life.

One might, at this juncture, suggest that these pious individuals are merely a sophisticated version of selfish in their pursuit of other's interests- which turn out to be, in fact, their own. Aligning one's desires with the love and service of God and one's neighbor is, however, the aim of a sanctified life. If one's self-interest became the pursuit of other's interests perhaps a better word than selfish for this state would be sanctified, for I can find no way to get to this point but through submission to divine grace.

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February 9, 2007

Something to Offer

Reading Matthew 19 I am struck by the contrast between the merit of the rich young ruler as he approached Jesus and that of the children who were brought to him. Perhaps the sequence of stories is not arbitrary, but intended for the sake of comparison.

The point of comparison that I find particularly compelling at the moment is how the little children had nothing, by way of accomplishment, to offer Jesus but rather were brought to him so he could pray for them. The rich young ruler, however, quickly listed his religious accolades of law keeping during his inquiry into the requirements of eternal life. On the surface, it seems as if this man had quite a lot to offer Jesus' mission, and yet his polished resume only left him empty-handed. The children, on the other hand only had the ability to sit on Jesus lap and yet they went away blessed.

In a world where one's resume seems to determine so much in terms of respect and self-worth, I must continually be reminded that the only qualification for work in Jesus kingdom is my childlike acceptance of his blessing as my only merit. I am no where close to identifying with Paul's statement "I consider it all loss for the sake of knowing Christ".

In Progress-Jamaica

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