We Don’t Exist; We Study

When you look around your college campus, do you see academic passion? I’d wager “no.” People pursue the sciences for their utility or business for its money-making potential. And even those of us who do study something else are ready to throw off our passion as soon as the college dreamland ends. We major in art history and have a job at TD Bank waiting for us.  Beyond that, our passionate scientists are mostly objectively passionate, which isn’t an inward passion, a love of and developing of the existing self. The best we can hope for are detached scientists and sycophantic sophists.

Those scientists with a real existential passion can offer us something. From their ranks, for example, comes the esteemed Richard Dawkins. They are passionate about existence, or try to be. They never quite get there, but at least they can tear civilization down in the attempt!

Okay, I’m exaggerating, but a healthy dose of existentialism never hurt (much). But what use is abstracted study if it does not affect how we live? In what sense does a degree in business, biology, or history matter if the student leaves the classroom a worker drone? What good is the Christian who reads the Bible but has never fed the hungry? Lazarus will have his day.

Existence, living life in a fulfilling way, which we shape and allow to shape us, is fading. Between the debates over grammar and the closing bells of the stock market one can hardly make out the sound of the old, meek English professor whispering about Tolstoy. I learned that Jesus said something about meek people; that an ugly Greek man once tried to strip people of their hubris; that thought has limited value if it is not applied to life.

You know, I’ve had many a friend ask me why I study such abstract things. Well, here is my answer: I think the thought and then live it. You get your degree and make money. Perhaps you’ll be more conventionally successful, build a family, and die. But, if I’m lucky, I’ll be able to call myself ignorant. Then I will truly exist.