One of the major questions in the field of philosophy is: “What moves people?”. One would think that there should be a clear answer, since we are the subject of the question. This doesn’t seem to be the case.
Many philosophers have attempted to give a full, complete answer. Some have said that we are driven by the pursuit of fulfilment and the good (e.g., Aristotle). This argument is often supported by the Christian theologians, like Aquinas and Augustine, who argue that this fulfillment is ultimately found in the pursuit of God. Others argue we are ruled by emotion, fear, and pleasure (e.g., Hobbes). Some claim that beneath everything lies a blind will or drive for power (e.g., Nietzsche). And others insist that what truly moves us is a need for meaning, or responsibility (e.g. Kierkegaard, Viktor Frankl).
How can this be? How can this diversity exist? And are these answers mutually exclusive, or can they be true together?
I do not know the answer. But we can say something interesting about the underlying assumptions which these stances imply. One can easily see that the earlier philosophers and the Christians assume something higher which we ought to aim at, while the modern thinkers and psychologist solely point to our biological/evolutionary desires.
My personal stance, as well as the stance of Christianity (as far as I understand), is that biological desire and evolutionary instincts exist, but that it is the way of the fool to follow these exclusively. I’ve not only found this to be the superior stance within my own life, but I’ve also seen this to be the case among peers. The most spirited and vigorous people I know acknowledge the existence of a higher good (most often God) and act as if life is about striving to become better and aligning oneself with truth, whether understood personally or religiously.
Knowing this, how might we strengthen the higher desires/intentions within ourselves, so we might live righteous and noble lives? I have multiple answers, with a curiously simple overarching connection:
- Dive into religious text, for they inherently aim at what is higher. This can preferably be accompanied with prayer, Church, and personal religious practice.
- Read good fiction, primarily of the mature kind; The stories and fairy tales that have withstood the test of time, for they dramatise the virtues and vices of human life, pointing out the heroic and the villainous stances strongly. This gives our subconscious role models of the correct attitude towards life.
- Read biographies or stories of real life heroes. Legends like Socrates, Joan of Arc, Alexander the Great, Caesar, but also Moses, David, Elijah etc.
- Frequently come in touch with good art, which is also a representation of the higher and divine.
- Take the time to “step outside of your life”, and review it. Take walks in nature, and think about your life on a meta level.
As for the overarching connection, notice that these are all inputs. The more you let your soul/mind/brain/unconscious get in touch with things which are inspired by the higher virtues and aims of human life, the more you will start to live them yourself.
Basically: get inspired, read, watch, reflect, wonder. Onwards and upwards.