What is the meaning of human existence? Can science answer our questions or can true understanding only be achieved through the spiritual journey? In the intro unit we explored the fundamental ideas of Leonard Shlain, the book of genesis, and Karen Armstrong. Shlain makes the point that each side of the brain corresponds with both male and female characteristics. He explains that the left hemisphere of the brain is in charge of the "hunt" and is more logistical thinking, where the right hemisphere of the brain runs emotion and the more nurturing aspect of humanity. Our actions are what make us human, so what would we be without the prehistoric drive to hunt or the great love a mother has for her child? Armstrong believes that mythology was created by humans as a means of finding a greater purpose in the universe. She and Shlain both have similar opinions on the, "mother" goddess in each early religion, as well as the god or goddess of the hunt. The parts of the brain that make us human define how we characterize the world of myth. Early religions created the first gods and goddesses as a embodiment of basic human instincts; For instance, in the book of genesis god creates Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It is only after the two of the take what is forbidden that the two are banished forever from the garden. The tasting of the fruit symbolizes a sexual awakening that could explain the first incident of human nurturing. The tree of Knowledge or good and evil represents the powerful instinct of the hunt belonging to man. Human beings created myths and rituals to define why we are driven by instinct.
Since the dawn of time, mankind has always searched for a higher power that can answer all of life's fundamental questions. Australian aborigines explored the realm of dream-time to find god and the meaning of life. From Egypt to France, all major civilizations built cathedrals and monuments dedicated to a greater understanding of life. Even the first human beings believed in something greater than physical being. The cave paintings of Lascaux show numerous drawings of half man, half beast god-like idols. These idols exemplify every man's journey to find understanding of life's meaning, and what happens after death.
What defines love and beauty? Is not tragedy beautiful in the emotion it creates? In the novel "Dorian Gray", Oscar Wilde explores the definition of beauty. By committing sin after sin, the immortal Dorian Gray's soul grows uglier and uglier day to day as his features remain innocent and pristine. After his soul becomes to heavy a burden to bear, Dorian sacrifices himself in hopes for a new beginning. What makes the tragedy of "Dorian Gray" beautiful, is Dorian's final understanding of beauty. In "The Shape of Things," Evelyn's cruel trickery changes Adam into an entirely different man. Adam may have been physically and mentally transformed as what Evelyn saw as beautiful, but beauty must be found by each individual being in themselves. Manipulation cannot be seen as true beauty. The search for love and beauty is a fundamental understanding of being human. John Keats once said, 'Beauty is truth, truth beauty,' - that is all ye know on earth, and all ye need to know," those who find beauty will find truth in their existence.
Baruch Spinoza believed in a connective energy between all things. He believed human beings were connected to nature or "god" and must be kind in nature in order to be moral beings. In the movie "Crimes and Misdemeanors," universal moral values such as Jewish, Christian, and Buddhist ideas are put into question. Judah murders in cold blood, yet never physically pays the price for his crime as life goes on. According to the major religions Buddhism, Christianity, and Judaism, all crimes are seen in the eyes of a greater god; So will Judah be struck down for his sins? The answer to that question is something every person must come to find. Morality makes us who we are; and we are defined by our actions as human beings.
In "Allegory of the Cave," Plato questions human understanding of reality by saying that reality itself conflicts with our false interpretations and influences of what defines "goodness" and "reality" in society. Human beings see life as it lays before them, seeing reality as what society embraces. The movie, "Waking Life" explores the dreamworld, ideas of death, what defines reality, and the truth of existence. There is more to see in life then what lies before our eyes, and what we see as reality guides us to understand our very existence. Whether Hamlet really saw his father's ghost is a mystery, but by seeing it as true reality, he defined his existence and found the quest for his inner journey.
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ReplyDelete"Morality makes us who we are;" Though I do agree to this to a certain extent, are we simply our morals, or is there more to us than that alone? Morality does play an essential role in our lives, but I think some ideas and actions may transcend simple morality and amorality.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of Spinoza about how everything is connected goes along the lines of "I <3 Huckabees" notions. The blanket that Dustin Hoffman's character shows Albert is in some ways just like what Spinoza is saying. If Judah killed it will come back around because in this world, everything effects everything else. And maybe there IS an all mighty being up there governing over us, but ultimately we choose our actions. When you wrote, "Manipulation cannot be true beauty" that really struck a cord with me. I absolutely agree with that. Evelyn may have found her project interesting, but in the end she basically ruined Adam and who he was. Now he did accept all the changes because he thought it would make him look better. This concept is so interesting especially when thinking about relationships. Can a friendship be true if on is hurting the other and changing him or her? No, we strive to be ourselves in a world of "normals" and what is really hard is staying an individual in a world that wants us to conform.
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