The Purpose Of Humanity

Thematic connections between literature and the question that remains constant in our minds, What is our purpose?

[studythegoodlife-blog]

“And now he’s strutting here to make it plain to those who haven’t heard-- he takes this seriously-- that if anyone does what he forbids he’ll have him publicly stoned to death. There’s your news. Now, show your colors: are you true to your birth? Or are you a coward?” 

Antigone speaks to Isemene in the beginning of the story of Antigone with very clear intention. She did not retain this courage, however, this is what she believed her purpose was. Antigone wanted to stand up for what was right despite the consequences. She may have began to doubt herself, but she truly believed this. Unfortunately the hardest part of having such staunch principles is having the follow through to back them up.  

Women historically have always risked life and limb for what they believe in. Especially in Star Wars. I decided the next generation’s princess Rey would be more suiting as a foil to Antigone because of their firey personalities but coming from backgrounds that lead their perspectives to not be valued originally. Although Antigone dies, their main characteristics can be guiding to give young women inspiration for their lives’ purposes. 

[studythegoodlife-blog]

“And so sometimes diminishing a thing ads to it;                                         Sometimes adding to a thing diminishes it.                                                    What others teach, I too teach: ‘The violent and overbearing                                              will not die a natural death.’                                                                     I shall take this as the father of all my teachings.” 

Daoist wisdom wants humans to recognize their small place in the infinite Way. When we try to overcompensate and wanted to be noticed more than observe and exist, we often make fools of ourselves or worse. 

This painting honors that teaching because the emphasis in its coloring and the way the painting was divided to make nature overwhelming in comparison to the tiny little fisherman. 

[studythegoodlife-blog]

The whole of Candide by Voltaire can be looked at as a mandala. The whole point of the philosophy of Optimism in Candide is for its followers to believe there is a greater purpose to their pain. Even at the end of the book Optimism prevailed. “[Pangloss said,]’All events form a chain in this, the best of all possible worlds’...’that is well said, replied Candide, ‘but we must cultivate our garden’.”

Thematically connecting to humankind’s purpose; our purpose is to cultivate our garden,then allow it to be destroyed with out thinking that the destruction is the end. The destruction of our garden makes the soil more fertile to create a more prosperous garden. 

 “A mandala is a symbol of the universe in its ideal form, and its creation signifies the transformation of a universe of suffering into one of joy. It can also be used as an aid to meditation, helping the meditator to envision how to achieve the perfect self.” This quote from the Asia society (http://asiasociety.org/exploring-mandala) about the mandala’s creation and dismantling connects to the text so perfectly. The whole point of the philosophy of optimism is that we are in the most ideal universe and all of our suffering will create joy in the long run. 

[studythegoodlife-blog]

“Or do you think that a city can continue to exist and not be overthrown if the legal judgments rendered in it have no force, but are deprived of authority and undermined by the actions of private individuals?”

Socrates firmly believes that citizens have a responsibility in society to follow the laws and uphold the community.This is part of our purpose as people, to be sure we live in a just society. If justice does not prevail chaos will swallow morals. According to Plato, people should have strong ties to their community to keep balance.

[studythegoodlife-blog]

“But now it’s time to leave, I to die and you to live. Which of us goes to the better thing, however, is unclear to everyone except the god.” 

Socrates himself at the end of the Apology admits even he does not know the value of life. Purpose is a theme that carries through all of the novels and in the Trial of Socrates, people are supposed to learn to be virtuous. However, learning does not guarantee that we will ever know anything. Let alone our purpose in the world. Plato throws that in the reader’s face while sending Socrates to dutifully allow himself to be executed.