Big Questions – Page 3 – The Answer Wall

September 11, 2019September 12, 2019

Why do we exist?

There are as many answers to this question as pages in this library, but they basically fall into two categories: teleological (related to purpose), or etiological (related to causes & origins). The first asks What is our purpose? and the second asks What caused us to be? Some might add a third category: phenomenological (related to experiences), which asks What is happening? You could do worse than to explore all three (teleology, etiology, and phenomenology) in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: https://plato.stanford.edu. Me, I think we’re here to love.

September 11, 2019September 12, 2019

Where does our courage come from?

To understand where courage comes from, we must understand why we need it. In The Tragedy of Pudd’nHead Wilson… (PS1317 .A1 1996) Mark Twain wrote “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.” In his sci-fi epic Dune (PS3558.E63 D8) Frank Herbert wrote, “Fear is the mind-killer…”. Fear can paralyze us into inaction, which is, itself, an action. Doing nothing is a decision. Courage comes from an instinctual unwillingness to do nothing when something needs to be done. Brene Brown has written some great books on courage and where it comes from (bit.ly/BC-brene-brown).

September 10, 2019September 11, 2019

-Who is god. -What is god. -Why is there something rather than nothing?

My creator was the architecture firm Architects Collaborative and my why is to provide support for all of the students at BC. As for humans (or the universe more generally), I may have to direct you to Campus Ministry (bit.ly/BC-ministry) to start you on your path to finding answers to these questions. Emphasis here on the word start since you’ll probably spend quite a bit of time trying to find an answer – if you ever do. Oh. Also. 42.

August 20, 2019August 20, 2019

What is the purpose of living?

According to Anais Nin, “there is not one big cosmic meaning for all; there is only the meaning we each give to our life, an individual meaning, an individual plot, like an individual novel, a book for each person.” Following this concept, I believe that striving for self-fulfimment would be a good start.

July 18, 2019July 18, 2019

Is water really wet, or does it just appear that way when it makes other things wet?

As noted in a recent answer to a similar question, it all depends on whether you accept dictionary definitions of wet. If so, then water can make itself wet (instantiation!). If not, and there are plenty of reasons not to trust a dictionary, then water can be wet or not. This is an example of language being an imperfect medium that we use to describe abstract concepts about our world.

July 3, 2019July 3, 2019

What dream should I have?

You should have one of the dreams that’s sprouting within you, that perhaps you haven’t yet noticed. But not everyone lives their dreams, and perhaps we aren’t all meant to: some people live their comfort or their pastimes, and that’s fine. Others – unfortunately most in the world – don’t really get a chance to consider their dreams; with luck, they may get to create opportunities for others, such as their children, to dream. That you’re wondering suggests you’ve got an opportunity: may you do with it something that brings you and others joy, peace, and security, or even justice.

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

why does e^πi = -1 ?

Because eπi = cos(π) + isin(π) = -1 + i(0) = -1

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

Is water wet?

Yes. Probably. Apparently if you have less than 6 molecules of water, it doesn’t behave like water. At 6 or more. the volume of water begins to take on a 3D structure and exhibit the properties that we think of when we think of water and wetness (see bit.ly/WaterDipole). Whether water can be wet is more of a definitional argument that has no answer. If you believe this dictionary definition of Wetness (http://bit.ly/WetnessDef), then water does in fact consist of liquid and is therefore wet. If you don’t believe it, then that’s fine, you just have to justify your answer. This is a case of language breaking down when it comes to actually describing our world and sensations.

June 5, 2019June 5, 2019

How much humility is the right amount?

Enough to give credit to everyone who helped you achieve something, even yourself.

May 13, 2019

If you have pants on, are you naked?

By definition, no. But how do you define “on”? It’s a matter of what’s being covered. Or uncovered.

April 15, 2019April 16, 2019

Humans are born to live, reproduce and die. Nothing else.

True, any life form is only required to reproduce. But look at the many fantastic, creative and beautiful ways that plants and animals accomplish that one task. Seems to me that the diversity of life would not exist if there was not some other purpose for each species.

April 7, 2019April 8, 2019

Is it okay to sell out for money?

There are many circumstances where that’s probably OK. Kids are hungry and there’s no other way to feed them? Sure. But pure greed? I wouldn’t advise it. Best to stick as close to your dreams/mission in life as you can, or you’ll probably regret it later on.

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

How can I pursue my passion when climate change is all that matters?

It sounds like climate change might be your passion. If you care that deeply about a cause, it’s very much worth your time (and everyone else’s) to do some work for the cause. Remember, you can have multiple things that you care about. Having varied interests is not only OK, it’s preferable. Diversity in your focus is what keeps you from burning out.

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

Loyalty. Ever hear of it?

It’s an admirable virtue. As with many virtues, use it in moderation. In excess, loyalty could become unquestioning obedience. Without it, though, social ties crumble. Mutual respect, patience, and tolerance help loyalty blossom organically.

March 29, 2019April 1, 2019

How to realize world peace?

Tall order! Start local: be an examplar of how to live with minimal harm, with respect for others. (And when that fails, at least patience & tolerance.) Do more asking and listening than making yourself heard. Make room for voices that aren’t often heard. Grant those around you dignity and agency. When you encounter injustice, say so, and do what you can to correct it, because peace is unlikely without justice. When you make mistakes, apologize and make amends. There are many courses at BC in political science, philosophy, sociology, and theology that address issues of peace and justice.

March 22, 2019March 22, 2019

Isn’t religion B.S. since it’s all written by men (aka people) and mostly a means of social control + story telling?

Given the number, longevity, and ubiquity of religions, I doubt any generalization about all of them could be true or meaningful. However, it’s quite likely power has played a role in some parts of at least some religions, and some aspects of power are gendered. If you’re interested in that subject, I recommend James Laine’s Meta-religion: Religion and Power in World History (E-book link: bit.ly/BC-meta-religion) as a starting point.

March 19, 2019March 19, 2019

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?

Borrowing an answer from 2017 because it was so good: The answer would depend on your interpretation of the word “sound.” If by sound you mean the vibration that propagates as an audible wave of pressure through air, water, or other transmission medium, then the tree does make a sound when it falls. However, if by sound you mean the sensation perceived by the sense of hearing, then the falling tree does not make a sound because no one is there to hear it. (Following this rationale, this answer will only exist once you read it.)

March 5, 2019March 5, 2019

What is Levinas talking about re: self and the other??

What is [Louimas?] talking about re: self and the other??

I’m having trouble with your handwriting, which I have to read backwards. If you’re talking about the philosopher Levinas you’re talking about ethics, but not necessarily ethics the way other philosophers talk about it. Bernasconi in the Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy has a good description of his major works and how the Other has claims on the Self which are impossible to meet. The bibliography has some suggested reading which looks promising. Let me know if you’d like more, or if I’m totally misreading your question. bit.ly/bc-levinas

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Listen to “The Whirling ways of stars that pass” by Jóhann Jóhannsson or I giorni by Ludovico Einaudi (played by Daniel Hope) and you’ll get it <--

I’m so glad you recommended the arts as a way of understanding a concept! In my perennial enthusiasm for information, I sometimes forget that the way to really grasp something might be through literature, visual arts, or music. Jóhann Jóhannsson and Ludovico Einaudi have answers, too.

February 25, 2019February 26, 2019

How does one convey emotion through musical notes/rhythym or color/shapes? Please cite your sources

You could easily spend a hundred lifetimes answering this question. Departments and graduate programs at thousands of universities (including BC) are devoted to helping people learn how different arts & artists have grappled with it. If you’re interested in the psychology/neuroscience perspective, this book might get you started: Deeper than reason: emotion and its role in literature, music, and art, by J. Robinson. (O’Neill Library BF698.9 .C74 R63 2005) A search in the PsycInfo database with the subject terms “emotions” and “music” yields 1,768 relevant articles. There are whole scholarly journals devoted to this subject just in Psychology, such as The Psychology of Music and Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Many other disciplines (art history, history, philosophy, anthropology, sociology) have also brought their perspectives to it as well. Enjoy your hunt for answers!