Learning to be sensible is a very rewarding achievement

To the editor:

I believe the living conditions and circumstances of all adult individuals are generally as they ought to be, since we all have different levels of knowledge and emotional experience with which to create our own little corner of the world — in accordance with our personal beliefs, interests and abilities. I also believe that each human generation manages to make some progress toward maturity as we acquire new knowledge and become more aware of higher emotions and loftier aspirations.

Through the cultural process of socialization, we adopt the basic values of our more recent predecessors, and we generally accept the laws, customs, and way of life that promotes the good of the group. We could not survive very long without the advantages of a viable community and the cultural institutions that sustain it. Our use of reason and our inner passions add value to our life, but even so, there is always a subtle conflict between our cultural duties and our individual needs and desires. However, we should keep in mind that our quality of life is subject to many natural limitations, as well as certain religious beliefs or customs that may no longer stand up to reason.

In the physical world, everything makes sense because the universe is governed by the principles of intelligence through the laws of physics. But emotion governs the realm of life. Human beings govern themselves through the use of reason and the awareness of passion. Reason and passion are higher expressions of intelligence and emotion that enable human beings to manage their personal life through the choices they make. Even though religion is a necessary part of human culture, religious beliefs help us deal with the mysteries of a spiritual realm of being, however, thoughtful people realize that the religious notion of being “good” is best achieved by being “smart.”

An understanding of the scheme of things became more clear to me when I realized that our culture-based community has all the attributes of a “God.” Our basic family values are a survival mechanism, and our system of education prepares workers for an economic system that enables us to earn a living. Among other things, our scientific institutions increase our health, comfort, and security, while a multitude of ancient and modern religions have “answers” for many different levels of human knowledge and awareness — as regards the mysteries of life and the spiritual realm of existence.

In becoming an objective observer of my life and my community, I have come to realize that all adult human beings have the capacity to achieve a worthwhile life, or to at least make the best of a less than perfect situation. Learning to be sensible is a very rewarding achievement, even though it might take most of a lifetime.

Art Carney

Wasilla