Philosophy

ETHICS , KNOWLEDGE AND REALITY - MAKING SENSE OF HUMAN EXISTENCE IN MODERN TIMES

A meaningful life is a combination of metaphysics , epistemology and ethics . A combination of all three facets provides us an innate understanding of human existence . It is the essence of man 's evolution and also one that distinguishes human beings from animals . Taken individually , of these factors can denote a complete person , but when combined these represent the power that has seen man dominate the entire species on this earth . If we take the evolution of man , the Darwinist

view is that life has evolved as a form of survival of the fittest . But how has the fittest been determined . Is physical prowess to denote fitness ? Then perhaps the dinosaurs would have survived the millennia . Is strength to determine prowess , then the lions and tigers of this World would not be under threat of extinction . Is mere brain power enough for survival , then as some researchers believe , the elephant has enough memory to survive a class full of young children However what has distinguished man in the process of evolution is his ability to separate between reality and illusion , his capability to distil knowledge and his instinctive sense of what is right and wrong and then controlling the senses to follow the right course . Human evolution is distinguishable by these factors and we will explore the philosophy of life based on these premises

Reality tends to teach us the relationship between mind and matter substance and attribute and fact and value which is the essence of metaphysics . It provides us a deep perspective of issues which is beyond the present or the underlying reality , it enables us to undertake rational investigation of questions of existence . It facilitates correlation between nature and existence . It goes beyond the Aristotelian scholasticism , to touch the common areas of day to day survival . This the reality of metaphysics . Its lies in its ability to let explain the nature of things and how the World around us is structured to serve reality . It enables understanding all issues of normal human existence even in modern times . Metaphysics gives us a sense of rooted ness of correlating with reality . It enables juxtaposition between the power of now and how the present is connected to the past and the future . In this process many sciences are involved . Theology or the study of gods or religion is one most common discipline which can be associated with metaphysics . Through theology we develop a greater understanding of the concept of God divinity and godliness . Metaphysics also enables us to understand the difference between two human beings and allows us to accept and live with these differences as a part of reality

The truth of metaphysics can best be explained by the struggle for independence waged by the great Indian leader Mohan Dass Karam Chand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi as he is popularly known . While many feel that he is a saintly figure , Gandhi was rooted in the reality of...