How It All Fits Together
In this article, it is my dearest hope that I will be able to answer some questions about what kind of ideas Train of Though embraces. This is far from easy, because, as any philosopher knows, language is deceiving. When you try to tell a complex idea, you will always stumble on certain barriers that make it difficult to explain exactly what it is you are trying to tell. Therefore, I must disappoint you, because the only way you truly will come to know what I have to say is by reading my full book that currently is being written. However, that does not prevent me from explaining the general idea that I have in my mind.
The Idea
The idea in and by itself is simple enough. It consists of just two fundamental truths or “axioms” upon which the rest of the idea is built:
- Life is scientifically meaningless. Sartre has said as much, and it is not difficult to prove when you really start thinking about it. The question whether life is worth living at all is the central question of humanity, and has been asked countless of times in art, science, and religion.
- Consciousness is a mystery that will never be solved. We said as much informally in a previous article, if you are not convinced I’d like to refer you to Immanuel Kant and modern philosophers like David Chalmers.
Therefore, life remains a mystery of which (if we put religious convictions aside) we don’t know if it continues after death or not. The only logical conclusion one can draw out of this is that life should be celebrated as such. The mystery that is life should not be dissected into its greatest detail, but be revered as being something rather than nothing. You exist, as a reaction to the statement “you do not exist”.
The two axioms have some immediate consequences. For one, if it is true that we cannot “transcend” our own consciousness, it means that you are forever isolated from the rest of the world in you experience of it. This can make one feel extremely alone, unless you realise that language is a way of expressing what we experience and what we feel. Language, as it happens, is the key to finding others who are just like you. By doing so, this gives rise to morality and to aesthetics. If one accepts that other beings can have consciousness, and as such you have to make sure you form rules that anyone can do the same thing you are trying to do: expressing yourself in the material world.
The Many Different Forms of Language
Do note that I do not use the word “language” in its original form. When I talk about language in this text, I refer to any way to express thoughts and emotions in the physical world. If you, for instance, do not like writing texts, you might find consolation in drawing, or making music. All of these “languages” are methods for making associations. By relating two abstract things with each other, you create something entirely new. These things might even have no solid basis in physical reality. It is clear what we mean when we associate “heat” with “water”, less clear what we mean when we associate “pidgeon” with “whirpool”. Yet these things can mean something valuable to the one who conceived it. It is thought the means of dialog, that we get to know what exactly someone means with a certain association, and this way we get to know one another.
Language alone is not enough. It is a tool that allows us to express ourselves, but in itself it is not sufficient for creating a sustainable world. In order to accomplish the latter, we need another tool: introspection and critical thinking. We need access to what it is we really feel at a given moment in time. It is only then, by getting to know what we really feel on the inside, that it is possible to express that emotion the best way we can. This way, language and introspection complement one another, like a Yin and Yang, constantly feeding each other; one giving rise to the other like the sun gives rise to the clouds.
The Mind-Body Duality
Another interesting aspect of this little philosophy is the way that we interact with reality. We are not alone in the world, and as such we hold some responsibilities. They have to make it possible that we can safely find a way to express ourselves, without hurting another being. The mind-body problem, being unsolvable, implies that we can only be safe by making the assumption that other being can be conscious. If we do not assume this, we are at risk of making someone else’s life miserable, and as a consequence it could very well be that someone else makes our life miserable. In other words, it is the only safe thing to assume when faced with the undecidability of the problem.
Implications On Everyday Life
Life becomes what I like to call a “playground”, a place where the mental and physical meet and are able to create art. This, in my opinion, radically changes some thoughts we have about the societal project we are all participating in. Instead that society is a story about progress, it becomes a story about interaction. Instead of society being about the scientific method, performance, knowledge and information, it becomes one of creativity, expression and free will. We play with the world and with each other, and this way we “celebrate” the very fact that we are alive, for mysteries that are beyond our comprehension. However, the act of playing cannot be done unless some very specific preconditions are met:
- The environment has to be safe. It is impossible to perform introspection or express yourself when you live in an unsafe environment.
- These has to be room to express yourself. Room, in this context, means space. Not only mental space, but also physical space. It also implies that there has to be a certain tolerance for new ideas and methods for expressing oneself.
- The basic needs have to be fulfilled. If I do not have food, I starve. If I do not have a roof to protect me from the elements of nature, I will not be able to feel safe. This way, basic needs are essential for any kind of play to take place.
If any of these preconditions is not met, it is impossible to safely express oneself in the world, or to understand what life truly is about. This way, science and technology (the big “progress” of society) is seen as a secondary but very important tool in creating a world in which it is safe to “play”. A bit like the construction workers that built the playground in the first place, science and technology paves the way for a bright future.
A bit like the construction workers that built the playground, science and technology paves the way for a bright future.
In my opinion, a lot of problems in the world are due to the fact that it is very difficult to express oneself. I’m afraid I’m a bit too quick in my reasoning, but I do believe that many modern problems come forth out of the inability to freely “get to know” the world and each other. Given that you are even able to find the time to think, it is even more difficult to express this thought to other people, without requiring some scientific or well-ordered context. This, in my opinion, causes the mind to wither. If the argument you are trying to make does not make complete and utter sense, you cannot count on much resonance. Science and logically consistent knowledge, it seems, prevails, even in areas where it really shouldn’t prevail.
The Automatisation of Labour
Following the line of reasoning we embarked on, the automatisation of labour is something rather positive. It makes us very afraid to think that one day, we won’t have the possibility to work anymore. However, in the end and if coordinated well, there shouldn’t be any scarcity of resources, and everyone should still be able to live a prosperous life.
Therefore, I see this new kind of “philosophy” not only as useful but also as indispensable for coping with a world where artificial intelligence increasingly takes over the world. Though out of the scope of this article, it is safe to say that unless a cataclysm happens, artificial intelligence will become evermore advanced. This not only entails some dangers where some experts are very of, but also means the end of life as we have known it. It is only by re-thinking how we interact with the world and what we deem important, that we will be able to find a solution to this problem.
Hate, Racism and Ignorance
The main counterpart of this train of thought is in my opinion ignorance. You can easily dismiss your own experience of the world or even deny that other people have feelings, too. Just like the solipsist fails to do, is to start a dialog with the self and the world, which is only possible if you accept that you exist. In my opinion, hate, intolerance and racism are a direct consequence of this failure to recognise the world as a potential playground, where a lot of people meet. Society can only counter this line of thinking by carefully examining what it is that makes a person turn to hate and self-denial, and to try (for it can only be an attempt) to help him see the inherent beauty that is life.
The only thing that I can place against these things is empathy. It is society’s duty to be empathetic with each and every individual, no matter what background or beliefs that person has. Almost every problem is caused by another problem, and I believe that empathy is the key to finding the root cause of the problem.
Almost every problem is caused by another problem, and I believe that genuine empathy is the key to finding the root cause of the problem.
Conclusion
Life is a true wonder, a riddle that cannot be solved, and the only way forward is to come appreciate this wonder and to celebrate it. I believe science and technology provide a pivotal role in creating such a society that upholds these values, and that with a lot of work and empathy, it can be made real.
Thank you for reading, and I hope to see you next time in a different article!
Sam Vervaeck is a freelance writer living in Belgium, trying to find his way in life while exploring various philosophical questions. He loves programming, playing piano, and martial arts. He is in the process of writing a book about artificial intelligence and the future of society, which will be available on his website.
