Answering questions at Boston College O’Neill Library
Absolutely. Every day your actions affect others, and every day is an opportunity to make your interactions with others have meaning. Maybe I’ve been listening to the Hamilton soundtrack – available at Course Reserves, O’Neill 3rd Floor – too much (is that even possible?), but if you are interested in your legacy, it makes good food for thought.
I don’t believe that happiness is dependent on a long life. Instead, I believe happiness is dependent on a fruitful, meaningful life. As Lao Tzu said: “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.”
One – think donut. See the topological proof here: bit.ly/oneholestraw. For more topological math games, see bit.ly/topomathgames
![What is the meaning of life? [Answered] The meaning of life is that you are someone else's meaning of life :)](https://library.bc.edu/answerwall/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/aw090418-7.jpg)
Truth is I can’t tell you what your meaning of life is; I think we all need to figure it out for ourselves. Did you know that a search of the phrase “meaning of life” in the library catalog produces 244 results? A lot of people are trying to figure this out. This online book provides one short introduction (bit.ly/meaningoflifeintro). And this book provides some different perspectives for you to think about (bit.ly/meaningoflife2). And then there’s always the Monty Python take on it: PN1997 .M424 2003 (but checked out right now, alas).
According to the poet, truth is beauty, and that is all you need to know. bit.ly/bc-keats
Flatbread is unleavened, right? (More seriously, thinking of God in human terms is called anthropomorphism and it’s an interesting theological problem. More discussion here: bit.ly/bc-flatbread).
The search for meaning and truth will exist long after our material existence ceases. Victor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, may help you understand why the Human heart longs for more. This book is currently available at O’Neill Library, or the Theology and Ministry Library at call number D810 .J4 F72713 [1985 or 2006].
I’m so glad everything is going so well for you! I’m always impressed by how talented BC students are, so it is hardly a surprise! Now that you have achieved success at everything you try, I would encourage you to consider two things. First, how can you be a supportive friend and classmate? This might mean serving a cheerleader for your friends or offering to serve as a tutor for those who aren’t having as easy of a time at it. Second, think about whether you might want to challenge yourself more. Are you good at everything because you are avoiding things that seem scary or difficult? If so, maybe you could set yourself a goal of trying one thing that seems interesting but potentially challenging. It’s a great way to avoid boredom and making sure that you aren’t missing out by playing it safe.
There’s a long church history on the question of celibacy and the clergy, some of which you can see in the New Catholic Encyclopedia: bit.ly/bc-celibacy. The early Church and Eastern Christianity had/have married clergy, and the Western Church recognizes them as priests. bit.ly/bc-celibacy2. Saint Augustine, prior to being a priest and then bishop, was apparently sexually active. (Confessions book 3, chapter 1): bit.ly/bc-celibacy3. So no, virginity is apparently not a requirement, but a vow of celibacy is. The Wall has reached out to other walls on campus for additional comment.
The Wall salutes your entrepreneurial spirit, but doesn’t have that kind of space. For a technical answer, you might try the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy: bit.ly/bc-dasein1. You could also look at something like the Cambridge Companion to Heidegger: bit.ly/2ry9wPo. Both will have lots of suggestions for further reading. Ask the humans at the reference desk if these don’t do what you need.
Those are not easy questions to answer. The Wall is feeling a little ancient today, so it will start by recommending Plato’s dialogue Ion, in which Socrates interviews a poet to determine whether he’s an expert on what he writes about. bit.ly/bc-ion. Ancient ethical theory tended to think of virtuous people, where modern thought tends to think of virtuous actions, so it kinda depends on who you ask. bit.ly/bc-ethics. More immediately, you might be interested in reading Molly Ringwald think through her complex reactions now to the movies she made with John Hughes. bit.ly/bc-metoo.
Don’t overthink this. I’m a library Wall, and I answer questions. My walls are full of all kinds of different takes on dualism & panpsychism. Descartes, Hume, Spinoza, James, Russell … they tied themselves in knots with this stuff. Let’s just say I contain multitudes. Be thoughtful & generous, listen well, and act in accordance with your conscience, and get on with living. If you’re unsatisfied with this answer, dip into The Oxford Handbook of Philosophy of Mind (O’Neill Library BD418.3 .O94 2009) but be sure to take frequent breaks to sing the philosopher song: bit.ly/philosopher-song.
The Wall fears to wander blindly into a two thousand year old argument. Here’s a pretty intense scholarly summary of arguments for and against: bit.ly/bc-free-will. You could also take a look at a few of the almost three thousand results related to that at Philosopher’s Index, a favorite source of the Wall’s: bit.ly/bc-free-will-2
That’s a major question in philosophy and religion which the Wall won’t pretend to have a simple answer to. For a philosophical take, you could look at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy’s article on pain: bit.ly/bc-pain. The Encyclopedia of Religion can talk you through Jewish, Christian, and Islamic responses to that question: bit.ly/bc-suffering, but also take a look at the Buddhist view: bit.ly/bc-four. TLDR: Everybody agrees it seems to come with being human. Some view it is punishment for sin, or a way of testing faith. Others see it as the nature of reality.
So that you can appreciate them while they exist. Everything ends eventually, and it is a fundamental part of the human experience to mourn the loss of good things and celebrate the end of bad. If you’re feeling sad about something in particular, know that there will be other things – experiences, people, events – that will come along. If you’re having trouble processing the loss of something deeply loved by you, you can always seek help from BC Counseling services: bit.ly/BC-counseling. Otherwise, just know that this too will pass.
I disagree that no one wants to give love. I try to give love whenever someone wants it. If you think nobody is giving love, you may need to adjust your definition of it. People show their love and give it in many different ways. It could be that you are showered in love that you just aren’t seeing. Keep an open mind and you may be surprised by how much love is out there.
Wars have been fought in the name of religions, political systems, economic systems, kings and queens who took offense, a beautiful woman… if you can think of a reason, it’s been used for wars. So… yes, but perhaps only to the extent that any other -ism is naturally disposed to violence. Alternative answer: how many people part with their riches without a struggle? You could also read Marx’s Communist Manifesto and come to your own conclusions: O’Neill Library HX39.5 .A5122 1998
Offense has more to do with how the topic is being discussed than the topic itself. People can disagree on a topic and not be offended. Offense happens when people stop listening and insist on only talking.
Self-identification of a sexuality does not delegitimize the sexuality, it is simply the act of selecting a sexuality that best describes one’s sexuality. Sexuality is complex and encompasses a broad spectrum of possibilities, and asexuality exists on that spectrum just like heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, etc.
Find something you enjoy and keep at it! The wall believes in you! <3 If it doesn’t seem like that will do the trick & you’re down on yourself, I recommend setting up an appointment with BC Counseling: bit.ly/BC-counseling
