Additions to my proposals for the BCMCA constitution for discussion (see Dr. Velociraptor 29/8/11) as follows:
To support and provide training for BC Seniors Games and other national and international seniors games;
To support cycle racing as part of schools athletic programs;
To promote grass track racing on municipal or school board grounds as a safe venue;
To encourage the development of safe closed circuits for cycle racing;
To support velodromes;
To promote and encourage commuting, touring, shopping, delivery, and transporting by bicycle.
To promote cycling and cycle racing as an environmental, health, and community benefit.
To support worthy charities through cycle races and fun rides.
To change our official name to BC Seniors/Masters Cycling Association.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
BCMCA Goals and Structure
Due to the informal nature of the BCMCA we lack a clear accessible statement of its constitution and bylaws. BCMCA is not a registered BC non-profit society. The constitution and bylaws of a registered BC non-profit society have to comply with certain criteria.
Different BCMCA members will have different views on the philosophy and goals of the BCMCA and how these can best be realized. My own suggestions, for discussion, are as follows.
Become (again) a registered non-profit society – eligibility for government grants; enhanced image for municipalities, Ministry of Transportation, sponsors, etc.; criteria for governance transparent.
Constitution. (Purposes).
To promote and organize lifelong recreational cycle racing for people of all ages and ability levels.
To promote athletic fellowship, exhilaration, enjoyment, social, and personal well-being through helping with, and participating in, cycle racing.
To honor the following: performing community service through contribution to cycle racing; maintaining athletic ability in, and participation in, cycle racing despite aging, genetic endowment, medical limitations, and limited training time; displaying chivalry, fairness, and concern for others while racing – winning is not the main thing.
Special emphasis (not necessarily exclusive) on the following:
Cycle racing for Seniors (55+) and Masters (40+);
Australian Pursuit road races (staggered starts are less disruptive of traffic flow and hence more acceptable to municipalities and Ministry of Transportation than mass start);
Age standards and results and awards based on age standards;
Starting gaps in Australian Pursuit based on age;
Classification of riders in the main competition into A (elite) and B (regular) with separate awards for the latter;
Development of comprehensive age standards and starting gaps for all races not just 50 – 75 k (‘2 hour’) road races;
Development of plausible criterium age-related points scoring;
Provide incentive for under 40’s to participate in the main race;
Provision of B races of shorter length, e.g. 40 k, starting just after the main race, for those with a medical condition or just out of shape;
Provide incentives for people to marshall.
To give due weight to the judgement of long-time organizers, administrators, and founders.
Bylaws. (Structure and Governance).
Directors: President; Secretary/Treasurer; Results Coordinator – main competition; Web Master; Awards Coordinator – subsidiary competitions; at least 1 director from each of the recognized geographical regions (currently 3 – Island, Lower Mainland, Interior).
No restriction on number of terms served.
Members to submit proposals and suggestions to directors at any time. Directors to discuss amongst themselves and make recommendations to the membership before a general vote.
AGM (and social) to be held outside of racing season, e.g. late October, in Greater Vancouver, e.g. Delta, - accessibility to members from Interior and Island.
Motion for 2011 AGM: To strike a committee consisting of the aforementioned 5 officials plus Olaf Stana, and Ray Morrison, of the Interior to discuss BCMCA Constitution and Bylaws, members’ suggestions and proposals, and to report back to the general membership with recommendations by March 21st 2012.
Different BCMCA members will have different views on the philosophy and goals of the BCMCA and how these can best be realized. My own suggestions, for discussion, are as follows.
Become (again) a registered non-profit society – eligibility for government grants; enhanced image for municipalities, Ministry of Transportation, sponsors, etc.; criteria for governance transparent.
Constitution. (Purposes).
To promote and organize lifelong recreational cycle racing for people of all ages and ability levels.
To promote athletic fellowship, exhilaration, enjoyment, social, and personal well-being through helping with, and participating in, cycle racing.
To honor the following: performing community service through contribution to cycle racing; maintaining athletic ability in, and participation in, cycle racing despite aging, genetic endowment, medical limitations, and limited training time; displaying chivalry, fairness, and concern for others while racing – winning is not the main thing.
Special emphasis (not necessarily exclusive) on the following:
Cycle racing for Seniors (55+) and Masters (40+);
Australian Pursuit road races (staggered starts are less disruptive of traffic flow and hence more acceptable to municipalities and Ministry of Transportation than mass start);
Age standards and results and awards based on age standards;
Starting gaps in Australian Pursuit based on age;
Classification of riders in the main competition into A (elite) and B (regular) with separate awards for the latter;
Development of comprehensive age standards and starting gaps for all races not just 50 – 75 k (‘2 hour’) road races;
Development of plausible criterium age-related points scoring;
Provide incentive for under 40’s to participate in the main race;
Provision of B races of shorter length, e.g. 40 k, starting just after the main race, for those with a medical condition or just out of shape;
Provide incentives for people to marshall.
To give due weight to the judgement of long-time organizers, administrators, and founders.
Bylaws. (Structure and Governance).
Directors: President; Secretary/Treasurer; Results Coordinator – main competition; Web Master; Awards Coordinator – subsidiary competitions; at least 1 director from each of the recognized geographical regions (currently 3 – Island, Lower Mainland, Interior).
No restriction on number of terms served.
Members to submit proposals and suggestions to directors at any time. Directors to discuss amongst themselves and make recommendations to the membership before a general vote.
AGM (and social) to be held outside of racing season, e.g. late October, in Greater Vancouver, e.g. Delta, - accessibility to members from Interior and Island.
Motion for 2011 AGM: To strike a committee consisting of the aforementioned 5 officials plus Olaf Stana, and Ray Morrison, of the Interior to discuss BCMCA Constitution and Bylaws, members’ suggestions and proposals, and to report back to the general membership with recommendations by March 21st 2012.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
The Meaning of Life
Standardly, when people talk about the meaning of life they are not particularly clear about what they mean – they don’t mean anything very definite or clear-cut. Rather, as usually happens with terms and concepts with a heavy philosophical weight, they have something rather woolly or nebulous in mind which nevertheless seems very important. Perceived philosophical depth is typically inversely proportional to clear-cut cognitive, factual content. Use of loose or opaque language is often a substitute for clear, testable thinking.
‘Meaning of life’ is semantically associated with finding a reasonable, somewhat objectively verifiable purpose in life which will bring a fairly lasting, resilient sense of fulfillment, validation, of your life being worthwhile. ‘Meaning of life’ is conceptually connected with self-validation, self-worth, and also with finding comfort and consolation. The question of ‘the meaning of life’ arises when your own life or contribution seems paltry given your talents and opportunities, you have made terrible mistakes, your own prospects for happiness seem rather hopeless, your present situation is not good, you have not accomplished anything like what you thought you would.
‘Meaning of life’ is semantically associated with finding a reason/justification for going on living even if your own prospects for fun, enjoyment, happiness, status, wealth, romance, health are not good. What sort of lasting inner fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, peace of mind, together with making a contribution which others could reasonably judge as worthwhile, are still available to you even if you lack some of the common goods, benefits, and privileges? ‘Meaning of life’ as a psychological problem is not just academic, theoretical doubt that human achievement in general is significant in the cosmos. It is doubt that one’s own life has been or still is worthwhile.
If you are fairly happy, comfortable, enjoying life, healthy, with good prospects of continuing in this state the question of the meaning of life is not of great concern. You might admit that you are not contributing much to higher values and that the cosmos is indifferent to higher values but this does not disturb your equanimity. If you have money, health, status, and love it is fairly easy to laugh at life being ultimately rather pointless. Moreover, if you have money, health, status, and love it is easy to convince yourself you are making a good contribution (living a meaningful life) whether you are a civil servant, bank manager, sell cars or bottled water. It is easy to be the smug, amused, calm philosopher above material concerns when you have nearly a million dollars in assets and are in reasonable health. It is much easier to find happiness or meaning in life if you have money and good health.
‘Meaning of life’ is in part about how to be happy if you lack some of the common aids to happiness. But it is also about questioning the importance given to common aids to happiness. Sure, money and status – recognition, appreciation from others for one’s achievements, efforts, contribution – are important, but should these be the main goals in life or society? Is the main point in life to have ever-increasing economic growth, material standard of living, while ensuring that the poorest have the basics?
Examining the meaning of life even questions whether happiness itself – maximizing one’s own happiness and allowing others to do the same – is the sole intrinsic good, the only real worthwhile-making feature of life. Isn’t there more to a full, enriching, meaningful life than just the pursuit of happiness (let alone just the pursuit of wealth, fame, and pleasures)? Where do art, literature, philosophy, intellectual attainment, promotion of justice, kindness, and animal rights fit in? Is it better that everyone be satisfied consumers or that there be some dissatisfied Socrates?
Finding a meaning to life seems to have two components. On the one hand finding inner happiness, contentment. On the other a justifiable belief that you are making a significant contribution to higher values – that you are doing something worthwhile. The two are empirically, causally, psychologically connected. You are likely to have a lasting inner happiness if and only if you have a reasonably well-founded belief that you are making a significant contribution to higher values. If you find a lasting inner happiness you are likely to find life has sufficient meaning – your contribution is good enough.
Human beings have remarkable capacities for self-deception, rationalization, denial, delusion, obsession, fantasy, repression, suppression, idealizing, demonizing, etc. – protective, coping, psychological defence mechanisms. Thus, it is possible for an intelligent, well-informed person to be mistaken that she is making a significant contribution to higher values (or the best contribution she could make given her circumstances). Consider a woman who gives up a promising career as a musician and music teacher to a) watch tv soap operas; b) be a housewife; c) strive for a manicured lawn and spotless, neat household; d) play golf; d) run a marathon in under 3 hours; e) care for a severely brain damaged child; f) run a cat’s home; g) join a fundamentalist religious cult. Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath may have been mistaken in thinking that their lives were no longer worthwhile and that suicide was their best option.
People do make serious mistakes about what will make them happy. They may be mistaken about the source of their happiness/unhappiness. Perhaps you can even be mistaken about the extent to which you are happy/unhappy. There are layers of feelings, desires, thoughts, misgivings, doubts, hopes, regrets, anxieties, disappointments, conflicts, etc. and one can focus on the good or the bad.
Many assume that the meaning of life must consist in some overarching purpose we can ascribe to the cosmos, life, or human life in particular (apart from common biological drives and processes). This could be the conscious intent or desires of a creator God, or the inexorable development towards some higher goal of an underlying divine power, life force, or historical process. But if there is no overarching pre-ordained goal to human life it does not follow that life is meaningless, that objective meaning cannot be given to human life in general and your life in particular, that there are not some states or activities (available even to those who are relatively poor, in poor health, aging, or disadvantaged) which fairly objectively make life meaningful, worth living. To ask ‘Why are we here, what is life for?’ in the sense of what is the overarching, embedded purpose apart from biological drives is the fallacy of the false question like ‘Have you stopped beating your wife yet?’
It might be there is no ultimate purpose to the cosmos or the emergence of higher consciousness or higher values. This just happened. Perhaps, too, there is no inevitable cosmic progress or evolution towards full realization of goodness (or reabsorption into a godhead). Again, thirdly, it may be that pursuit of higher values does not lead eventually, after death or rebirths perhaps, to some kind of personal reward – heaven or more abstractly nirvana. Even without these religious props, though, it is possible objectively to find meaning in life which does not consist simply in having as much personal pleasure, fun, enjoyment, or even happiness as possible.
God is very much a human construct rooted in human psychology good and bad. There may be healthier, albeit more challenging, ways of finding meaning in life than through religion. The standard God is a Jekyll and Hyde creature. On the one hand benevolent, loving, merciful, forgiving – perhaps goodness and justice conceived as a transcendent, supernatural power independent of human activity. On the other an omnipotent, omniscient, creator law giver judge demanding absolute submission and obedience, who is vindictive, jealous, sexist, patriarchal, homophobic, anti-pleasure, anti- open critical thinking, petty, obsessed with rituals of behaviour, clothing, and diet. This second aspect of the traditional God reminds one of the worst kind of husband, father, schoolmaster, priest, or political leader – not a nice chap. Indeed the concept of God as absolute lawgiver is probably in large part a projection of primal ugly features of the male ego and id – a sexually insecure control freak wanting power over others, not tolerating disagreement. Men (and women) can regard this God monster/tyrant as great precisely because it is a fundamental part of their own natures (what they aspire to, or are familiar with). It is no psychological accident that psychopathic, megalomaniac dictators and religious leaders receive the same mass following and adulation as the traditional lawgiver God. Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, Khomeini, Kim Jong Il, Khadafy, Robert Mugabe, et al, not Jesus, are the incarnation of the traditional Godfather, the God of Abraham and Muhammad.
God devotees claim we cannot, with our puny minds, grasp the how and why of God (though they have no trouble themselves making all sorts of dogmatic pronouncements about what God wants!!) – ‘where did God come from?’ God just is eternally. But then why not suppose matter/energy just is eternally, or that it somehow popped out of nothingness? The appeal to a creator God supplies a familiar anthropomorphic model of creation and purpose but then arbitrarily forbids further inquiry. Likewise, the appeal to God as the ground of Being, or as Being in itself is a pseudo-explanation. God as Being does not explain why there is something rather than nothing, but rather affirms that things do exist and that there is a mysterious foundation, ‘support’, or sufficient reason for this but one can’t say what it is. When you want an explanation but can’t find one, just call it God (or Fate). Back this up with a powerful institution based on supposed divine revelation. Add that to question the purported divine revelation (blasphemy – blaming or slandering the Almighty) is to challenge the Divine Lawmaker and Goodness itself and hence must be severely punished.
God is not necessary philosophically, scientifically, morally, spiritually, or aesthetically. Rather God is a psychologically necessary prop for most human beings given traditional systems of education and upbringing. Religious claims (including those of quasi-religions such as Marxism, Jungianism, astrology, or Deconstruction) are questionable even when (or especially when) they hide behind supposed incorrigible insight or revelation. Similarly, it is a reasonable question whether religion in general is a force for good or rather evil. If I am not allowed to criticize religions why should the religious be allowed to criticize my atheism, humanism, or pantheism? If criticism of religion is forbidden why not ban criticism of someone’s artistic, literary, or political beliefs or tastes, or cultural practices? Is it healthy to suppress questioning or calm, reasoned criticism on the grounds that it offends or supposedly might lead to prejudice towards some allegedly disadvantaged group?
We can revere goodness without grounding it in the edicts of a supernatural Deity. We don’t need the sanction of Divine command or threat of Divine punishment to pursue goodness. Citing God’s commands to justify being moral is basically an appeal to force (and personal reward) rather than to the inherent nature of good for its own sake. Even if there is no God (at a minimum a quasi-eternal force of goodness existing independently of human activities – see my blog posting Minimalist God ) goodness still exists or can be cultivated, e.g. equality of opportunity; equitable distribution of wealth; open critical thinking, reduction of suffering; right of women to higher education and birth control; providing all with the basics; kindness; courtesy; empathy; personal responsibility. With or without belief in God there will always be room for disagreement about what policies or practices are good and just, and what goodness and justice consist in.
It is probably psychologically more challenging to find meaning in life without the solace of traditional religious belief. If there is no personal afterlife or rebirth there is diminished capacity for making amends for one’s own grievous errors, making it up to someone you hurt. At some point, too, there is little chance for further personal happiness. No more chances – this is it mate. For instance, when you are 60 years old you realize you love someone deeply (someone you mistreated and did not appreciate), that she/he is a wonderful person just right for you. Before you can tell her and enrich her life and yours she is killed or dies prematurely. You will never meet again. You will likely never have another soul mate. Again, if there is no arbiter God or karmic law then there is no guaranteed tangible personal reward for your efforts towards goodness - all the suffering, deprivation, and striving you may go through. The possibility of simply greater inner peace may seem insufficient reward. Also, without an arbiter God or karmic law, it is harder to bear the unfairness of life – sometimes good things happen to bad people and vice versa. Even in a just society some people will have a better chance at happiness than others – some have better genes and parenting than others.
There are several different paths by which people commonly seek meaning in life (consciously or unconsciously). Many seek meaning through individual personal achievement and distinction. This could be artistic, intellectual, athletic, physical feats, career, business, profession, or in politics. Others are oriented more towards the goal of personal pleasure or happiness as supplying the meaning of life – romantic love, material standard of living, financial security, sex, thrills, eventual reward in paradise. Third, some find meaning in the pursuit of virtue, community service, good works, being a good person for its own sake. Fourth, some people find meaning in life largely through supposed spiritual development – cultivating compassion, letting go of anger, resentment, material desires, the ego, being more aware of the putative transcendent, deep, consoling mystical states, qualities, and apprehensions which allegedly go beyond ordinary, utilitarian, logical language. Fifthly, people can find meaning in life by pursuing knowledge, greater understanding or clarification largely for its own sake (or artistic creativity for its own sake). Sixthly, some people in effect get their meaning in life largely by merging with or identifying themselves with some cause or group. This could be a religion, ideology, ethnic group, sports team, pop star, or literary celebrity. Submitting oneself unquestioningly to the supposed will of God might be included in this sixth path.
There is a seventh route to meaning in life which is unduly neglected. This is the path of emotional development – being more aware of one’s own feelings and emotional processes including triggers, investments, and those of others. Being more able to admit one’s own biases, privileges, and flaws. Being curious about one’s own emotional processes, and those of others. Exploring, imagining, what it would be like to be of a different gender, sexual preference, ethnicity, religion, class, philosophical or political outlook, have different aesthetic preferences.
This elucidation, analysis, and exploration of the meaning of life has several implications. One: it may be a mistake to look for some one all-encompassing meaning or comfort in life whether through Jesus, Allah, Virgin Mary, Jung, Marx, or Dalai Lama. Two: it may be a mistake to look for some fairly straightforward foolproof recipe for finding meaning (or happiness) in life which fits people of all temperaments, abilities, and interests.
Nonetheless one can point to some general aids to finding meaning (and happiness). First, pay attention to basic biological and psychological needs. Second, allow time for fun, enjoyment, and relaxation. Third, develop the whole person – intellectual, athletic, artistic, emotional, social, spiritual, and moral. Fourth, stop thinking mainly or solely of your own well-being, welfare, just treatment, or interest (wealth, health, security, opportunities, rights) or that of your family, tribe, or ethnic group. Have regard for the well-being and happiness of those outside your group. Fifth, switch your energy and focus to simple goods which are available even if you don’t have money, good health, or romantic partner e.g. kindness, friendship, beauty, literature, art, music. Sixth, remember there are others who have gone through similar suffering who would be sympathetic to you. Seventh, remind yourself there will always be some unfairness and mistakes in life – others have suffered far greater misfortune and injustice, and made worse mistakes than I. Eighth, let go of having to be right. Instead focus on developing tentative views which are plausible and reasonable
The meaning of life is that there is no definite, demonstrable, certain meaning to life. You have to make it up, work something out for yourself, as you go along. Some ways of finding meaning harm others or yourself. You can be mistaken about what is worthwhile even for yourself. Learn to live with doubt, uncertainty, disagreement, mistakes, disappointment, rejection, sexual frustration, loneliness, unfairness. Develop flexible mechanisms for coping with life’s inevitable setbacks. Life is messy and frustrating. Accept your weaknesses and strengths.
You are just one amongst billions of humans, and one amongst billions upon billions of sentient beings. Yes you are unique but so is every snowflake, blade of grass, leaf, or bacterium. You are part of the flow of life and so are those you dislike or who dislike you. You (and those you dislike) are more wonderful and intricate than a butterfly or sparrow. You have a capacity for nobility lacking in an eagle, lion, or killer whale. The nobility you attain depends on you. If you are lucky you will have a lover and best friend who challenges, encourages, and treasures you. If you are unlucky you can be an unsung, unknown treasure. There will always be some conflict and flaws. Heaven is when you realize there is no heaven.
‘Meaning of life’ is semantically associated with finding a reasonable, somewhat objectively verifiable purpose in life which will bring a fairly lasting, resilient sense of fulfillment, validation, of your life being worthwhile. ‘Meaning of life’ is conceptually connected with self-validation, self-worth, and also with finding comfort and consolation. The question of ‘the meaning of life’ arises when your own life or contribution seems paltry given your talents and opportunities, you have made terrible mistakes, your own prospects for happiness seem rather hopeless, your present situation is not good, you have not accomplished anything like what you thought you would.
‘Meaning of life’ is semantically associated with finding a reason/justification for going on living even if your own prospects for fun, enjoyment, happiness, status, wealth, romance, health are not good. What sort of lasting inner fulfillment, satisfaction, contentment, peace of mind, together with making a contribution which others could reasonably judge as worthwhile, are still available to you even if you lack some of the common goods, benefits, and privileges? ‘Meaning of life’ as a psychological problem is not just academic, theoretical doubt that human achievement in general is significant in the cosmos. It is doubt that one’s own life has been or still is worthwhile.
If you are fairly happy, comfortable, enjoying life, healthy, with good prospects of continuing in this state the question of the meaning of life is not of great concern. You might admit that you are not contributing much to higher values and that the cosmos is indifferent to higher values but this does not disturb your equanimity. If you have money, health, status, and love it is fairly easy to laugh at life being ultimately rather pointless. Moreover, if you have money, health, status, and love it is easy to convince yourself you are making a good contribution (living a meaningful life) whether you are a civil servant, bank manager, sell cars or bottled water. It is easy to be the smug, amused, calm philosopher above material concerns when you have nearly a million dollars in assets and are in reasonable health. It is much easier to find happiness or meaning in life if you have money and good health.
‘Meaning of life’ is in part about how to be happy if you lack some of the common aids to happiness. But it is also about questioning the importance given to common aids to happiness. Sure, money and status – recognition, appreciation from others for one’s achievements, efforts, contribution – are important, but should these be the main goals in life or society? Is the main point in life to have ever-increasing economic growth, material standard of living, while ensuring that the poorest have the basics?
Examining the meaning of life even questions whether happiness itself – maximizing one’s own happiness and allowing others to do the same – is the sole intrinsic good, the only real worthwhile-making feature of life. Isn’t there more to a full, enriching, meaningful life than just the pursuit of happiness (let alone just the pursuit of wealth, fame, and pleasures)? Where do art, literature, philosophy, intellectual attainment, promotion of justice, kindness, and animal rights fit in? Is it better that everyone be satisfied consumers or that there be some dissatisfied Socrates?
Finding a meaning to life seems to have two components. On the one hand finding inner happiness, contentment. On the other a justifiable belief that you are making a significant contribution to higher values – that you are doing something worthwhile. The two are empirically, causally, psychologically connected. You are likely to have a lasting inner happiness if and only if you have a reasonably well-founded belief that you are making a significant contribution to higher values. If you find a lasting inner happiness you are likely to find life has sufficient meaning – your contribution is good enough.
Human beings have remarkable capacities for self-deception, rationalization, denial, delusion, obsession, fantasy, repression, suppression, idealizing, demonizing, etc. – protective, coping, psychological defence mechanisms. Thus, it is possible for an intelligent, well-informed person to be mistaken that she is making a significant contribution to higher values (or the best contribution she could make given her circumstances). Consider a woman who gives up a promising career as a musician and music teacher to a) watch tv soap operas; b) be a housewife; c) strive for a manicured lawn and spotless, neat household; d) play golf; d) run a marathon in under 3 hours; e) care for a severely brain damaged child; f) run a cat’s home; g) join a fundamentalist religious cult. Virginia Woolf and Sylvia Plath may have been mistaken in thinking that their lives were no longer worthwhile and that suicide was their best option.
People do make serious mistakes about what will make them happy. They may be mistaken about the source of their happiness/unhappiness. Perhaps you can even be mistaken about the extent to which you are happy/unhappy. There are layers of feelings, desires, thoughts, misgivings, doubts, hopes, regrets, anxieties, disappointments, conflicts, etc. and one can focus on the good or the bad.
Many assume that the meaning of life must consist in some overarching purpose we can ascribe to the cosmos, life, or human life in particular (apart from common biological drives and processes). This could be the conscious intent or desires of a creator God, or the inexorable development towards some higher goal of an underlying divine power, life force, or historical process. But if there is no overarching pre-ordained goal to human life it does not follow that life is meaningless, that objective meaning cannot be given to human life in general and your life in particular, that there are not some states or activities (available even to those who are relatively poor, in poor health, aging, or disadvantaged) which fairly objectively make life meaningful, worth living. To ask ‘Why are we here, what is life for?’ in the sense of what is the overarching, embedded purpose apart from biological drives is the fallacy of the false question like ‘Have you stopped beating your wife yet?’
It might be there is no ultimate purpose to the cosmos or the emergence of higher consciousness or higher values. This just happened. Perhaps, too, there is no inevitable cosmic progress or evolution towards full realization of goodness (or reabsorption into a godhead). Again, thirdly, it may be that pursuit of higher values does not lead eventually, after death or rebirths perhaps, to some kind of personal reward – heaven or more abstractly nirvana. Even without these religious props, though, it is possible objectively to find meaning in life which does not consist simply in having as much personal pleasure, fun, enjoyment, or even happiness as possible.
God is very much a human construct rooted in human psychology good and bad. There may be healthier, albeit more challenging, ways of finding meaning in life than through religion. The standard God is a Jekyll and Hyde creature. On the one hand benevolent, loving, merciful, forgiving – perhaps goodness and justice conceived as a transcendent, supernatural power independent of human activity. On the other an omnipotent, omniscient, creator law giver judge demanding absolute submission and obedience, who is vindictive, jealous, sexist, patriarchal, homophobic, anti-pleasure, anti- open critical thinking, petty, obsessed with rituals of behaviour, clothing, and diet. This second aspect of the traditional God reminds one of the worst kind of husband, father, schoolmaster, priest, or political leader – not a nice chap. Indeed the concept of God as absolute lawgiver is probably in large part a projection of primal ugly features of the male ego and id – a sexually insecure control freak wanting power over others, not tolerating disagreement. Men (and women) can regard this God monster/tyrant as great precisely because it is a fundamental part of their own natures (what they aspire to, or are familiar with). It is no psychological accident that psychopathic, megalomaniac dictators and religious leaders receive the same mass following and adulation as the traditional lawgiver God. Mao, Stalin, Hitler, Idi Amin, Saddam Hussein, Khomeini, Kim Jong Il, Khadafy, Robert Mugabe, et al, not Jesus, are the incarnation of the traditional Godfather, the God of Abraham and Muhammad.
God devotees claim we cannot, with our puny minds, grasp the how and why of God (though they have no trouble themselves making all sorts of dogmatic pronouncements about what God wants!!) – ‘where did God come from?’ God just is eternally. But then why not suppose matter/energy just is eternally, or that it somehow popped out of nothingness? The appeal to a creator God supplies a familiar anthropomorphic model of creation and purpose but then arbitrarily forbids further inquiry. Likewise, the appeal to God as the ground of Being, or as Being in itself is a pseudo-explanation. God as Being does not explain why there is something rather than nothing, but rather affirms that things do exist and that there is a mysterious foundation, ‘support’, or sufficient reason for this but one can’t say what it is. When you want an explanation but can’t find one, just call it God (or Fate). Back this up with a powerful institution based on supposed divine revelation. Add that to question the purported divine revelation (blasphemy – blaming or slandering the Almighty) is to challenge the Divine Lawmaker and Goodness itself and hence must be severely punished.
God is not necessary philosophically, scientifically, morally, spiritually, or aesthetically. Rather God is a psychologically necessary prop for most human beings given traditional systems of education and upbringing. Religious claims (including those of quasi-religions such as Marxism, Jungianism, astrology, or Deconstruction) are questionable even when (or especially when) they hide behind supposed incorrigible insight or revelation. Similarly, it is a reasonable question whether religion in general is a force for good or rather evil. If I am not allowed to criticize religions why should the religious be allowed to criticize my atheism, humanism, or pantheism? If criticism of religion is forbidden why not ban criticism of someone’s artistic, literary, or political beliefs or tastes, or cultural practices? Is it healthy to suppress questioning or calm, reasoned criticism on the grounds that it offends or supposedly might lead to prejudice towards some allegedly disadvantaged group?
We can revere goodness without grounding it in the edicts of a supernatural Deity. We don’t need the sanction of Divine command or threat of Divine punishment to pursue goodness. Citing God’s commands to justify being moral is basically an appeal to force (and personal reward) rather than to the inherent nature of good for its own sake. Even if there is no God (at a minimum a quasi-eternal force of goodness existing independently of human activities – see my blog posting Minimalist God ) goodness still exists or can be cultivated, e.g. equality of opportunity; equitable distribution of wealth; open critical thinking, reduction of suffering; right of women to higher education and birth control; providing all with the basics; kindness; courtesy; empathy; personal responsibility. With or without belief in God there will always be room for disagreement about what policies or practices are good and just, and what goodness and justice consist in.
It is probably psychologically more challenging to find meaning in life without the solace of traditional religious belief. If there is no personal afterlife or rebirth there is diminished capacity for making amends for one’s own grievous errors, making it up to someone you hurt. At some point, too, there is little chance for further personal happiness. No more chances – this is it mate. For instance, when you are 60 years old you realize you love someone deeply (someone you mistreated and did not appreciate), that she/he is a wonderful person just right for you. Before you can tell her and enrich her life and yours she is killed or dies prematurely. You will never meet again. You will likely never have another soul mate. Again, if there is no arbiter God or karmic law then there is no guaranteed tangible personal reward for your efforts towards goodness - all the suffering, deprivation, and striving you may go through. The possibility of simply greater inner peace may seem insufficient reward. Also, without an arbiter God or karmic law, it is harder to bear the unfairness of life – sometimes good things happen to bad people and vice versa. Even in a just society some people will have a better chance at happiness than others – some have better genes and parenting than others.
There are several different paths by which people commonly seek meaning in life (consciously or unconsciously). Many seek meaning through individual personal achievement and distinction. This could be artistic, intellectual, athletic, physical feats, career, business, profession, or in politics. Others are oriented more towards the goal of personal pleasure or happiness as supplying the meaning of life – romantic love, material standard of living, financial security, sex, thrills, eventual reward in paradise. Third, some find meaning in the pursuit of virtue, community service, good works, being a good person for its own sake. Fourth, some people find meaning in life largely through supposed spiritual development – cultivating compassion, letting go of anger, resentment, material desires, the ego, being more aware of the putative transcendent, deep, consoling mystical states, qualities, and apprehensions which allegedly go beyond ordinary, utilitarian, logical language. Fifthly, people can find meaning in life by pursuing knowledge, greater understanding or clarification largely for its own sake (or artistic creativity for its own sake). Sixthly, some people in effect get their meaning in life largely by merging with or identifying themselves with some cause or group. This could be a religion, ideology, ethnic group, sports team, pop star, or literary celebrity. Submitting oneself unquestioningly to the supposed will of God might be included in this sixth path.
There is a seventh route to meaning in life which is unduly neglected. This is the path of emotional development – being more aware of one’s own feelings and emotional processes including triggers, investments, and those of others. Being more able to admit one’s own biases, privileges, and flaws. Being curious about one’s own emotional processes, and those of others. Exploring, imagining, what it would be like to be of a different gender, sexual preference, ethnicity, religion, class, philosophical or political outlook, have different aesthetic preferences.
This elucidation, analysis, and exploration of the meaning of life has several implications. One: it may be a mistake to look for some one all-encompassing meaning or comfort in life whether through Jesus, Allah, Virgin Mary, Jung, Marx, or Dalai Lama. Two: it may be a mistake to look for some fairly straightforward foolproof recipe for finding meaning (or happiness) in life which fits people of all temperaments, abilities, and interests.
Nonetheless one can point to some general aids to finding meaning (and happiness). First, pay attention to basic biological and psychological needs. Second, allow time for fun, enjoyment, and relaxation. Third, develop the whole person – intellectual, athletic, artistic, emotional, social, spiritual, and moral. Fourth, stop thinking mainly or solely of your own well-being, welfare, just treatment, or interest (wealth, health, security, opportunities, rights) or that of your family, tribe, or ethnic group. Have regard for the well-being and happiness of those outside your group. Fifth, switch your energy and focus to simple goods which are available even if you don’t have money, good health, or romantic partner e.g. kindness, friendship, beauty, literature, art, music. Sixth, remember there are others who have gone through similar suffering who would be sympathetic to you. Seventh, remind yourself there will always be some unfairness and mistakes in life – others have suffered far greater misfortune and injustice, and made worse mistakes than I. Eighth, let go of having to be right. Instead focus on developing tentative views which are plausible and reasonable
The meaning of life is that there is no definite, demonstrable, certain meaning to life. You have to make it up, work something out for yourself, as you go along. Some ways of finding meaning harm others or yourself. You can be mistaken about what is worthwhile even for yourself. Learn to live with doubt, uncertainty, disagreement, mistakes, disappointment, rejection, sexual frustration, loneliness, unfairness. Develop flexible mechanisms for coping with life’s inevitable setbacks. Life is messy and frustrating. Accept your weaknesses and strengths.
You are just one amongst billions of humans, and one amongst billions upon billions of sentient beings. Yes you are unique but so is every snowflake, blade of grass, leaf, or bacterium. You are part of the flow of life and so are those you dislike or who dislike you. You (and those you dislike) are more wonderful and intricate than a butterfly or sparrow. You have a capacity for nobility lacking in an eagle, lion, or killer whale. The nobility you attain depends on you. If you are lucky you will have a lover and best friend who challenges, encourages, and treasures you. If you are unlucky you can be an unsung, unknown treasure. There will always be some conflict and flaws. Heaven is when you realize there is no heaven.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Dr. Velociraptor Personal
One man’s attempt to package his personality, hopes, values, and outlook in less than 1000 words.
Seeking : Friendship with some degree of mutual physical attraction (‘yes I would like to kiss this person’) with slim woman 5 ft. + , any race/nationality, non-smoker, age 52 – 60 (older women usually find my vigour and drive a bit daunting), who enjoys cycling and shares some of my interests. Would appreciate, but not counting on, romantic, soul mate, monogamous, lifelong partnership.
Myself : 5’ 9’’, 152 lbs, brown eyes, grey hair, glasses just for reading, clean shaven, Caucasian, grew up in UK, turn 68 in 2011. Very athletic – racing cyclist, intellectual (former university philosophy teacher), guitarist/singer, writer. Practise meditation, Tai Chi. Don’t have a tv. Don’t take a newspaper or magazine. Rarely drink. Don’t eat much meat. Simple, modest lifestyle. Low income, not wealthy by N. American standards. Don’t buy lottery tickets or gamble. No debts. Able to travel.
Not a gardener or pet lover. Home Victoria BC. Lived on the prairies for 8 years – Calgary, Red Deer, Regina.
2 adult sons. One university math teacher Eastern U.S. Other pharmaceutical research Switzerland. One grandchild – 1year old girl.
Founded unique cycling and philosophy group : Velociraptors Cycling Association.
Have cycling and philosophy blog : Dr. Velociraptor.
Ran a philosophy discussion/reading group in Victoria, BC : Diotima.
Good genes : dad lived to 92. Mum to 86. Both active and independent until last few days.
Photos available soon. Not got a camera yet. Computer skills limited.
Qualities I admire : Ability to laugh at oneself; explore different viewpoints; admit own privileges and good fortune; admit own flaws and less noble desires; admit own biases and emotional investment; kindness; courtesy; question and elucidate underlying presuppositions; clarify nebulous core concepts; look at evidence for and against.
Support for equal opportunity; right of women everywhere to higher education and birth control; acceptance of some personal responsibility – not just blaming government, society, big business, politicians, the rich; support for freedom to criticise views of left or right, ruling ideologies; acceptance of disagreement, conflict, compromise, (stress, rejection, loss, etc.) as part of life.
Revered writers : Shakespeare, Keats, some of Wordsworth, Blake, D.H. Lawrence despite his being over the top. Favourite religious quotation: Matthew 7.3.
Dislikes : Self-opinionated, overbearing people - presumption of being morally superior (holier than thou attitude) or more enlightened; bullying; cruelty; snobbery; pretentious woolly language; wanting ever more financial security; knee-jerk ‘motherhood’ sentimentalism; desire to amass wealth for one’s grandchildren; tribalism; cult of celebrity/personality; dogmatism – clichés of right or left; assumption that bottled water is superior to municipal tap water; concern with style, image, being cool/fashionable – glamourisation of people on tv and in movies; glib 30 seconds packaging in media; overuse of intercontinental travel and tourism; overuse of motor homes, motor boats, snowmobiles, car cult; presumption that religion is good; presumption of having religious truth; romanticizing/idealizing ethnic, aboriginal, non-Western cultures; disparate treatment of marijuana, etc. compared with alcohol and tobacco.
Outlook : Sceptic, open critical thinker with an interest in the notion of the transcendent – supposed non-logical mode of apprehension, thinking , or justification.
Not an adherent of any religion or quasi-religion including : monotheisms, Marx, Jung, political correctness, postmodernism, or astrology.
Somewhat sympathetic to philosophical Taoism and Buddhism, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Spinoza, pantheism, and Platonism.
Critical of the notion of sacred, supposed infallible texts whether based on alleged divine revelation or proclaimed deep insight or intuition. ‘Why is your divine revelation or poetic insight superior to mine?’
Think all standard political parties avoid the main social/global problems, viz.: human overpopulation; ever-increasing material expectations; desire for high return on savings/investment; consumerism/materialism; false sense of entitlement and unrealistic expectations; unacknowledged greed of the average person – hypocrisy concerning one’s own greed, desire for status and control; not acknowledging roots of social/global problems in basic human psychology including one’s own; not shifting the tax burden to all those earning more than $50, 000 per year; belief in ever increasing economic growth; belief that jobs/services/production are good no matter what is being produced/bought and sold; restriction of free expression and association and women’s rights in much of the non-Western world.
Fun, Enjoyment : Nature walks, reading, outdoor swimming, road and off-road bike rides, exploring BC. Companionship of cycling and cycle racing fraternity (although they do tend to be loners and sometimes narrow-focused!). Some live theatre, occasional foreign language movie, intelligent comedy (e.g. Tom Stoppard, Michael Frayn, David Lodge, Augusten Burroughs). Occasional Beethoven, Mahler, opera, ballet. CBC radio – some Tonic, Tempo, Q, The Current, Quirks and Quarks, Day 6, White Coat Black Art, The Persuaders, Sparks. Occasional restaurant with a great view.
Important Qualities in Relationship : Mutual comfort, sympathy, encouragement, appreciation, support, respect, tenderness. Sharing fears, hopes, dreams, disappointments, personal histories. Sharing cooking, shopping, domestic chores.
Willingness to compromise. Doing something because my partner would appreciate it even if it’s not my first preference.
Never forgetting the wonder of this other human being who has chosen to share her life with you. Being intimate lovers and best friends.
Expectations : Don’t expect a rush to my door. Not out to win a popularity contest. Hope to appeal to a discerning, talented few who are outside the norm.
Even if you are alone there is always beauty, goodness, love within you and around you to help you be calm and find enjoyment amidst life’s inevitable setbacks.
Seeking : Friendship with some degree of mutual physical attraction (‘yes I would like to kiss this person’) with slim woman 5 ft. + , any race/nationality, non-smoker, age 52 – 60 (older women usually find my vigour and drive a bit daunting), who enjoys cycling and shares some of my interests. Would appreciate, but not counting on, romantic, soul mate, monogamous, lifelong partnership.
Myself : 5’ 9’’, 152 lbs, brown eyes, grey hair, glasses just for reading, clean shaven, Caucasian, grew up in UK, turn 68 in 2011. Very athletic – racing cyclist, intellectual (former university philosophy teacher), guitarist/singer, writer. Practise meditation, Tai Chi. Don’t have a tv. Don’t take a newspaper or magazine. Rarely drink. Don’t eat much meat. Simple, modest lifestyle. Low income, not wealthy by N. American standards. Don’t buy lottery tickets or gamble. No debts. Able to travel.
Not a gardener or pet lover. Home Victoria BC. Lived on the prairies for 8 years – Calgary, Red Deer, Regina.
2 adult sons. One university math teacher Eastern U.S. Other pharmaceutical research Switzerland. One grandchild – 1year old girl.
Founded unique cycling and philosophy group : Velociraptors Cycling Association.
Have cycling and philosophy blog : Dr. Velociraptor.
Ran a philosophy discussion/reading group in Victoria, BC : Diotima.
Good genes : dad lived to 92. Mum to 86. Both active and independent until last few days.
Photos available soon. Not got a camera yet. Computer skills limited.
Qualities I admire : Ability to laugh at oneself; explore different viewpoints; admit own privileges and good fortune; admit own flaws and less noble desires; admit own biases and emotional investment; kindness; courtesy; question and elucidate underlying presuppositions; clarify nebulous core concepts; look at evidence for and against.
Support for equal opportunity; right of women everywhere to higher education and birth control; acceptance of some personal responsibility – not just blaming government, society, big business, politicians, the rich; support for freedom to criticise views of left or right, ruling ideologies; acceptance of disagreement, conflict, compromise, (stress, rejection, loss, etc.) as part of life.
Revered writers : Shakespeare, Keats, some of Wordsworth, Blake, D.H. Lawrence despite his being over the top. Favourite religious quotation: Matthew 7.3.
Dislikes : Self-opinionated, overbearing people - presumption of being morally superior (holier than thou attitude) or more enlightened; bullying; cruelty; snobbery; pretentious woolly language; wanting ever more financial security; knee-jerk ‘motherhood’ sentimentalism; desire to amass wealth for one’s grandchildren; tribalism; cult of celebrity/personality; dogmatism – clichés of right or left; assumption that bottled water is superior to municipal tap water; concern with style, image, being cool/fashionable – glamourisation of people on tv and in movies; glib 30 seconds packaging in media; overuse of intercontinental travel and tourism; overuse of motor homes, motor boats, snowmobiles, car cult; presumption that religion is good; presumption of having religious truth; romanticizing/idealizing ethnic, aboriginal, non-Western cultures; disparate treatment of marijuana, etc. compared with alcohol and tobacco.
Outlook : Sceptic, open critical thinker with an interest in the notion of the transcendent – supposed non-logical mode of apprehension, thinking , or justification.
Not an adherent of any religion or quasi-religion including : monotheisms, Marx, Jung, political correctness, postmodernism, or astrology.
Somewhat sympathetic to philosophical Taoism and Buddhism, Stoicism, Epicureanism, Spinoza, pantheism, and Platonism.
Critical of the notion of sacred, supposed infallible texts whether based on alleged divine revelation or proclaimed deep insight or intuition. ‘Why is your divine revelation or poetic insight superior to mine?’
Think all standard political parties avoid the main social/global problems, viz.: human overpopulation; ever-increasing material expectations; desire for high return on savings/investment; consumerism/materialism; false sense of entitlement and unrealistic expectations; unacknowledged greed of the average person – hypocrisy concerning one’s own greed, desire for status and control; not acknowledging roots of social/global problems in basic human psychology including one’s own; not shifting the tax burden to all those earning more than $50, 000 per year; belief in ever increasing economic growth; belief that jobs/services/production are good no matter what is being produced/bought and sold; restriction of free expression and association and women’s rights in much of the non-Western world.
Fun, Enjoyment : Nature walks, reading, outdoor swimming, road and off-road bike rides, exploring BC. Companionship of cycling and cycle racing fraternity (although they do tend to be loners and sometimes narrow-focused!). Some live theatre, occasional foreign language movie, intelligent comedy (e.g. Tom Stoppard, Michael Frayn, David Lodge, Augusten Burroughs). Occasional Beethoven, Mahler, opera, ballet. CBC radio – some Tonic, Tempo, Q, The Current, Quirks and Quarks, Day 6, White Coat Black Art, The Persuaders, Sparks. Occasional restaurant with a great view.
Important Qualities in Relationship : Mutual comfort, sympathy, encouragement, appreciation, support, respect, tenderness. Sharing fears, hopes, dreams, disappointments, personal histories. Sharing cooking, shopping, domestic chores.
Willingness to compromise. Doing something because my partner would appreciate it even if it’s not my first preference.
Never forgetting the wonder of this other human being who has chosen to share her life with you. Being intimate lovers and best friends.
Expectations : Don’t expect a rush to my door. Not out to win a popularity contest. Hope to appeal to a discerning, talented few who are outside the norm.
Even if you are alone there is always beauty, goodness, love within you and around you to help you be calm and find enjoyment amidst life’s inevitable setbacks.
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