Questions

After a rather arduous day, I settled on reading some random philosophical essays on ethics, politics, global wealth, and religion. This may not have been the best literary choice I have made, in regards to timing. I found myself with more questions than answers not to mention a headache… however; this headache may have partly been the remnants of a glaucoma test earlier in the day.

So here are the questions I actually wrote down and plan on exploring. I believe these will likely be the basis of future blogs, but for now I am content with simply making a list of questions in no particular order of importance.

Questions:

1. What constitutes intelligence?

2. What makes up an intelligent person?

3. Do we, as human beings, have the equal moral obligation to help others as well as do no harm?

4. Is it possible to truly, completely and honestly love those who not only see the world differently, but who adhere to radically different beliefs? (Example: Could a Christian truly love and even accept an Atheist?)

5. Is it morally permissible to only serve “your own” or a small, select group of people?

6. Is a Labor and Production or Poverty revolution in the future of the United States of America?

7. Is there a moral aspect to how we choose to spend our money?

8. Who is certified to determine “justice” and what qualifies the conclusion thereof?







I’m sure more questions are to come… and I hope the questions never stop. I hope that I continue to think of questions and to seek the answers relying on a world of resources.

In speaking with a good friend recently, I realized just how much information and truth is available to those who seek it. Focusing less on origin and more on the relevancy will provide us with the most accurate and holistic view of the world in which we live.

John Godfrey Saxe's (1816-1887) version of the famous Indian legend, "The Blind Men and the Elephant"


It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.

The First approach'd the Elephant,
And happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl:
"God bless me! but the Elephant
Is very like a wall!"

The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried, -"Ho! what have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me 'tis mighty clear
This wonder of an Elephant
Is very like a spear!"

The Third approached the animal,
And happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a snake!"

The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee.
"What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain," quoth he,
"'Tis clear enough the Elephant
Is very like a tree!"

The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: "E'en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an Elephant
Is very like a fan!"

The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Then, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
"I see," quoth he, "the Elephant
Is very like a rope!"

And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion
Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!

MORAL.

So oft in theologic wars,
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an Elephant
Not one of them has seen!

The Principle of "Due Reflection"

I recently read the following words which provoked this blog:

“An aversion to instant acceptance is really only honoring the principle of “due reflection.” (Yogananda 1946)

I spent a little more time trying to find more articles or publications on this principle, but have only found it referenced in the before mentioned book. This principle seems very applicable to me at this time in my life. Recently, I have had to make some important decisions that possess the potential of effecting the direction and quality of my life. I have also had the privilege of conversing with a number of close friends and relatives who have been very helpful.

Though I have since followed through with these specific decisions, the actual conclusions have been just as important as the process utilized in their formulation. If one of our main directives in life is to learn all that we can (a belief in which I am in complete agreement), then it is only logical to dedicate “due reflection” before and after decisions have been made.

One of the first steps in honoring the principle of due reflection is determining your values. Solidifying your personal morals and knowing what is most important in your life will eliminate a number of options that will never get you what you want. As you reflect on the many possibilities that life presents to us, reducing the choices that do not reflect our values will greatly elevate our likelihood of satisfaction.

After removing options that do not meet our moral standard, it is imperative to search both your emotions and your logic. The Doctrine and Covenants says, “…I will tell you in your mind and heart…” (D&C 8:2) Following only your heart or only your mind will create problems in the long-run. Leaping into a decision based strictly on emotional triggers is a risky situation. Solely emotional decisions (excluding logic or apparent “red flags”) require continuous replenishment and constant stimuli to be sustained. On the other hand, decisions based purely on a logical foundation (negating emotional sustenance) will likely feel empty and longing. Decisions made honoring both mind and heart are most likely to produce satisfactory outcomes.

Though the original quote at the beginning of this blog referred to pre-decision making, constant reflection is required to continue on a path that leads to happiness and positive edification. A friend of mine once told me, “On the way to something good, something better can happen.” This suggests that even though decisions can be appropriately processed and executed, there is nothing wrong with adjustments if it produces a better outcome.

One last though is that “due reflection” should also be accompanied with an appropriate statute of limitations in regards to time spent in the reflection stage. Action on a decision will ultimately determine the success or failure we will experience. Vincent van Gogh said, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”

Through applying the principle of due reflection in our lives, we can take control of valuable time that is too often spent backpedaling. Great things are out there and they are only a series of decisions away.

Think it through.

Act.

What are we waiting for?