The Relationship Between Responsibility and Meaning
One of the things that has been observed time and time again is the connection between responsibility and meaning. When discussing this relationship, the crowd often falls silent, acknowledging the importance of finding meaning to sustain oneself through life's challenges. It's difficult to debate that life can be painful, anxiety-provoking, uncertain, and at times, unbearable. Given these difficulties, it becomes crucial to find a sustaining meaning.
To find meaning, one often looks to their responsibilities, both towards themselves and others. It's through these responsibilities that individuals derive a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Meaning can be found in various relationships, such as with a father, a spouse, or even a pet, as caring for another living being brings about a deep sense of meaning.
Sacrifice is also a significant aspect of finding meaning. When something is valuable, individuals are willing to make sacrifices to attain it. This act of sacrifice is a fundamental distinction between human beings and animals. Humans possess the ability to let go of immediate gratification and work towards a more valuable future outcome. This discovery has shaped human history, as individuals learned to share resources, store up provisions, and build reputations.
Belief plays a crucial role in regulating emotion. When one acts in accordance with their beliefs and desires, but the desired outcome doesn't materialize, the body enters a state of emergency preparation for action. This physiological response occurs because one has ventured too far from familiar territory, and uncertainty and anxiety set in. To counteract this, the body prepares for all possible courses of action, leading to mental and physical exhaustion. Therefore, it is essential to act in alignment with one's beliefs and desires to avoid this draining response.
Humans are creatures who thrive in environments where their actions yield the desired results. This is why individuals seek out like-minded people who share their cultural values and beliefs. The sense of certainty and predictability that comes from being around such individuals is deeply ingrained in our psyche. We naturally gravitate towards familiarity and struggle to tolerate uncertainty. This sensitivity to negative emotions stems from our innate desire to avoid pain, damage, anxiety, and death.
Functional identity is crucial for regulating emotion, but it is developed in concert with others. Social institutions and creative achievements play a significant role in maintaining individual sanity. Learning to cooperate and play with others during early childhood is critical for social development. Peer groups provide a platform for mutual scaffolding and support, allowing individuals to advance together. By paying attention to social cues and behaving appropriately, one can maintain a regulated state.
The book "Beyond Order" emphasizes the importance of not casually denigrating social institutions or creative achievements. Our sanity is largely dependent on the functioning of these social structures. They provide a framework for acceptable behavior and facilitate social cohesion. By adhering to societal norms and contributing positively, individuals can maintain a sense of stability and regulation.
However, it is crucial to avoid arrogance, deceit, and resentment. The chapter in the book explores the reasons why individuals might become resentful. It highlights the challenges of navigating a world that often feels tyrannical and unfair. Culture and nature present constant obstacles and threats, and individuals can easily succumb to feelings of bitterness and spite. Yet, succumbing to these negative emotions is not productive or beneficial.
The rewards of life are not evenly distributed, and it can be disheartening to witness the success of others while feeling left behind. Nonetheless, harboring resentment and seeking to harm those who are more successful is not a constructive path. It is important to recognize the temptations of bitterness, arrogance, and deceit, but actively strive to overcome them and rise above the challenges that life presents.
The human desire for undeserved rewards or a utopian existence is understandable. However, life does not function in such a way. Striving and effort are fundamental aspects of our existence. Our biology, rooted in the second law of thermodynamics, necessitates continuous effort to maintain complexity in the face of an entropic universe. Striving towards goals, even if they change along the way, is what keeps us motivated and fulfilled.
Discipline and aiming at specific targets allow for personal growth and wisdom. It is through the process of striving that we experience positive emotions and a sense of purpose. The attainment of a goal may temporarily satisfy, but it also signals the end of that particular journey. To continue growing and evolving, new aims must be set. While the best paths may not always work or lead to the desired outcomes, it is crucial not to abandon them entirely. Striving and effort are inherent to human nature, and embracing them allows us to navigate the complexities of life.
