Anna Johnson-Section 10

Anna Johnson
Section 10

Me: What does it mean to grow up? Why should we?

Susan Neiman: “Kant’s definition of maturity as the ability to think for oneself is as good a sign of being grown-up as any that I know. If growing up is a matter of holding the is and the ought in balance, it will never be a stable position: each will always seek the upper hand. Hence growing up is not a task that ever stops.” Likely due to the negative connotations associated with growing up which has become so pervasive in our culture, we often forget that to grow up simply means to progress in life and that we’ve been doing it since we were born. To grow up is a constant process and means to seek truth and wisdom so that what we leave behind will be better.

Nigel Warburton: Since you’ve brought up Kant, it makes me think of another point which he would make here. “He argued that you should only act on maxims that were universalizable. For something to be universalizable it has to apply to everyone.” It’s quite obvious that society would collapse if everybody actively worked against growing up. Kant would say that this means it’s morally wrong to not grow up. Because we rely on others to grow up and make society work, we must do the same ourselves.

John Kaag: I also value the ability to think for oneself and believe it to be among the best parts of growing up. James once said, “The art of being wise is knowing what to overlook.” A person doesn’t need to make peace with all of the terrible things that have happened around them in order to benefit from continuing on. As we grow up, we get wiser and better at identifying the things which are holding us back.

Me: Growing up is definitely key to understanding what holds us back from improving as individuals as well as a society. But what stops me from wanting to leave it all, with no regard for the moral implications? What makes life worth living?

John Kaag: “For James, stars do not burn, much less appear, in perfect order, and human lives are not settled in advance. This is for the best: it gives us something to watch and expect and experience. Persistent variation gives rise to persistent wonder, and, for James, this sense of mystery-- of chance-- was often enough to see him through when other practical measures failed him.” So essentially, one can’t simply assume that life is worth living, but one also can’t know for sure that it isn’t worth living. There will always be a chance that what is to come will add enough value to an otherwise destitute circumstance which would make that life worth living.

Me: I think this is a really valuable point. I’m not always excited for what’s to come, but I definitely am curious. Even on the days in which I’m the most doubtful, I can always concede that there is a chance that things will be okay.

Nigel Warburton: “Socrates declared that life is only worth living if you think about what you are doing. An unexamined existence is all right for cattle, but not for human beings.” This is why I’ve dedicated so much of myself to philosophy. As a species, we were meant to seek wisdom to better ourselves and impact our community. Socrates, the father of philosophy, lives on because he asked questions as a means of seeking truth and this is what we are meant to do. In order to find value in your life, you must thoroughly examine it.

Susan Neiman: “No longer confused by baubles or shy with inexperience, we are better able to see what we see, and say it. We? All of us, including this author. It’s a process of permanent revolution. Who wants to encourage that?” As we gain better perspective with our maturity, we also gain power over ourselves and our surroundings. By progressing as an individual, we can better effect change for all and make the world a better place. With this in mind, life is unquestionably worth living, particularly as we grow up and develop more knowledge and wisdom to improve what we have.

Me: Understanding the world and our perceptions is exactly what makes life worth living. It also leads to building a better place for future generations. Even when things seem to be the most bleak, there is always a chance for change. The more grown-ups we have, fighting for reducing suffering, the greater a chance we have at succeeding to make a change. This sentiment makes me think of John Lennon’s work. In this song he wrote, he encourages people to question the world as it is and to be a part of the change.