"I think, therefore I am." How well I remember arguing re the meaning and interpretations possible within the realm of this three word sentence. As arrogant first year college students, we oh so brazenly, arrogantly, argued points, so involved, so sure we knew and/or would find the proper paths toward the solution and resolution of all problems of the world, everything from soup to nuts, for we indeed knew it all.
This Philosophy 101class was going to be the savior of the world. We knew it, even giving over precious time to sit on the living room floor of the instructor, not much older than we were, and discuss, chew, spew, the same tripe over and over again. We were amazed at the glaring lack of clear thought and insight in the ranks of those who ruled the world.
Can you imagine! The arrogance. The stupidity. Thought, clear, cogent thought, nowhere to be found. Actually, all that spewed forth were the words of the instructor as we internalized them in our arrogance and numbness to reality. Willingly adopting the ideas of the instructor, not much older than we were, we turned away from our oh so ignorant parents, not admitting to ourselves that we turned away because we could not refute their points with any powerful, sensible response. Why were the answers not as clear as they were in discussion, or in voluminous answers to test questions?
Actually, we thought not at all, merely becoming influenced Chatty Cathys, as is the situation today. Crazed protesters, merely regurgitating the words and philosophies of their instructors, compounded daily, even hourly, vulnerable in their ignorance and arrogance, forged on the anvil of rampant violence, anger, and extremism of the times.
They storm the doors and walls of society, thinking entitlement as their answers must be heard. We need to wait them out, until such time when cogent thoughts arise, as reality, common sense are applied, allowing for heated mouthfuls to be quieted enough so as to allow heretofore hidden kernels of truth to be exposed to light of day.
The problem of deafness, of the increased time it takes to quiet the rhetoric so hostile to thought and conversation, grows apace, far more hostile to the necessary integrity of society. These kids and their adult mentors are willing, desirous even, to destroy the world before reconstruction materials and plans are in place.
So, the Philosophy 101 question never answered to my satisfaction: if we are not thinking, if we refuse to think, deny reality, and create a false reality with little to nothing of actual thought contained within, in a self-generated truth cancelling world, no true thought involved, then according to Descartes there is a serious issue. Do we actually exist, particularly during this time of uncertainty? Of dreams of the night, of a long sleep? A life of Neo?
Then, again, I wonder why we give the time of day to these philosophical issues? Why do we not cut to the chase, discarding all the truth disguising fluff, and face reality, do what must be done. Even if distasteful or harsh. The refuseniks of truth will come along when they must, when there is no alternative. No thought = a choice of nonexistence. The damage that comes along with that - on those who chose it.
No thinking? When a person vomits ugliness, dangerous, bloodthirsty words, they must be taken seriously. Certainly, the increasing invective must set off an alarm somewhere. Someone must pay attention. There is no legitimate thinking here, merely words of madness, lots of sound and fury which we must head off.
When that man is running, unbelievably, for office, the highest office in the land and possibly the world, well, there is no logical thought, merely madness. The madness is contagious, overwhelming once sound thinking processes; hence immediate action must be taken. No delays, simply get the job done before he and his evil coterie achieve their goal. "Everything goes", up to and including homicide is not thought, only insanity. He has no loyalty to anyone other than himself, willingly throwing all under the bus to save his neck. No thought, merely feral behavior taken to the extreme. One captures such a creature and locks them up for their own safety as well as that of the larger society. A clear and present danger to democracy, to a true America, to any possibility of justice and right, a bundle of feral instincts and must be treated as such. Thought over internal instincts are misplaced; that of animals of prey inserted into a human's mind. No thought at all.
What does one do, then, when it appears to be that the entire society has derailed onto twisted rails setting the dangerous new path? That is the present situation or status of American and world societies. Composed of people able to deny the very physical truth, denying the 120 meter deep tunnels, the monies and material stolen from the people of Gaza, the crazed plans which again, reflect no thought, only madness. Not to indulge in feral reeking animals of prey instincts, then claiming the rights of humans.
Each and every living thing must be approached with care and concern, but always with the aim of safety, rather than building on the bad status quo, allowing mayhem and murder to proceed unimpeded. Those without human thoughts are not to be allowed to intimidate others, for man is given rule over animals and not the other way around. We need to remember our humanity, not revert to primitive, undeveloped mankind. We must treasure the children, not hold them hostage. We must even care for the enemy, turn him into a friend - if possible. Hard work, but necessary. Somehow, the world must be made to open eyes and hearts, and hardened, fossilized minds. Able, eager to see, feel, know, the truth. Understand the importance of experience. Accept the weight, the onus and responsibility of caring for the planet and its inhabitants, recognize sharing and the gift of thought, to actually BE.
However, when the enemy refuses to open deadened minds, paying attention only to the wild undisciplined side, then one first, needs to gain their attention, forcefully if necessary. Then we can talk of communalities and ways to ameliorate the differences. We cannot wreck the world. WE are the ones who need to preserve it. We need to understand historical imperatives and truths, like them or not. But one cannot talk nor reason with an enemy who wishes only to kill, to maim and murder, to give way to the worst that mankind has to offer.
There is no thought in seeking blood spilled; instincts, aged, but not forgotten are not thoughts. We must force thought if we are ever to live in peace. The present world unfortunately has given itself whole hog to the side of base instinct. We have forgotten, defy thought as that which is too difficult for us. Mired in multitudes of combat, declared or not, sudden or perpetual. It matters not, only the awful, hopeless, destructive results. Only the destruct button they long to push, no cogent thought nearby.
People, these are questions for which I know no answers. They have eluded me. As they have eluded the leaders of the world. Are they then true leaders? Answer: They are not, and it is time to pick some new, bold ones. Where are they? Look for those who think, propose ideas, work with those who have other ideas, who know that to think is a right and a duty of and for all who wish to prove and validate their existence. They will be able to inspire others to think and perhaps there will be a happy melding of ideas and thinkers, finally!
That is my definition of cogito, ergo sum. If we think, we are, and if we do not, then we are mere zombies, of no use at all, other than to lend a hand to those forces which would rather not think but simply react on a primitive level of action which carries naught with it other than more destruction, more killing, more havoc. Infinitely dangerous to the survival of humankind. "Cogito, ergo sum". If I think (as a human) then I do in fact, exist. One thinker, two thinkers, three thinkers, one hundred thinkers and so it goes and so we exist and so we improve our future possibilities.
Our work is cut out for us. As of today- thinking, true thought, its process, is an endangered species, a school of thought that needs to be well on the way to disappearance.
We just finished the commemoration of thirty days after the death of Yitzy. It is called shloshim, 30 days after burial. Tears and prayers are there along with dedicated studies and comments regarding these studies. Remembered in this shloshim was a young boy on the cusp of manhood, whose potential was deep, wide, and the earth itself fought against it. The room was awash with the tears of those who understood the high cost of this loss, the gaping hole unable to be filled, as even words failed in their purpose.
Perhaps if we had thought longer, more sincerely, gathered together all those voices raised in prayer for Yitzy, there could have been a no limit sign on it. I understand deed and punishment but this innocent? But why rip away from his family? Deep as was Yitzy's faith, he could formulate the anguished question of why? Yitzy found his answer and shared it with his parents. Others remain in the seeking mode.
The Big Guy is above all as his answers and reasons are far too deep for us to understand. Nor are we to question; however, though that is so, along with it comes the positive changes already inspired by the examples of Yitzy stories. Perhaps that answer can assuage some. Perhaps not.
Hugs and kisses, my sweet boy, my special boy. Always and forever.
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