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I am, therefore I think. Rationalism despairs, and logic proves to be an imperfect straightedge in questions of existence. The answer to the epistemological question (How do you know?) is a shadow. To scorn an infinite regress does not banish the question: How do you know? Thus, absolute skepticism swallows me except that if I can know nothing, I cannot know that I do not know. Outside the rare atmosphere of a comfortable study where an individual can indulge in imaginative speculations, a person encounters a world in which he/she must decide and act. In fact, the decision to remain in the study and think is an act. Moreover, even a scholar decides on a topic of study, acts in order to study, and (alas) pays bills. We cannot await the final research to decide questions of existence: Who am I? What am I doing here? Where am I going? Suspending judgment on the origin of a Greek verb makes sense, but suspending judgment on throwing a rope to a drowning man is nonsense. Existence acts, and inaction is an action. The word existence, however, requires light. Let us suppose a woman announces to me that she plans to file for a divorce. My response will be to encourage her to talk about her situation, think through her options, sort out her emotions, and (hopefully) decide to continue in her marriage. I will sincerely care about her and about her husband. Suppose further that, after the woman leaves, my wife comes into my library and announces that she plans to file for a divorce. My professional detachment vanishes: automatic thoughts and related emotions flood my consciousness; my heart beats faster, my blood pressure rises. Objectivity disappears because my wife is a part of my existence in a way that no client will ever be. Different dimensions of reality exist between "a young man was killed in a car wreck," and "your son was killed in a car wreck." Existence is our personal universe of meaning and identity. For the moment, we will ignore the psychological roots of perception. To say a person perceives this or that because of culture, childhood trauma, or genes does not explain a perception any more than saying an automobile is explained because it was manufactured in Detroit. Perceptions often reveal different aspects of reality, and scholarly disciplines are different lenses through which to view reality. Any event may be viewed through a psychological lens, a sociological lens, or a biological lens, for example. While each lens may contribute to a more complete view of a reality, reductionism (i.e., psychological, sociological, or biological as the only, basic, or primary reality) is absurd. Any statement from any discipline remains vulnerable to the infinite question: How do you know? Thus, existence is a given, a distinct dimension of reality. While Descartes pursued his methodological doubt, he existed. I am gratified that he found proof of his existence in "I think, therefore I am." However, only one experiencing the problem of existence would have bothered with certainty.[1] A person's existence is the inescapable starting point: I am, therefore I think. _______________ 1 One reading of the text of the Bible sees existence as a fundamental category. See God's reply to Moses in Exodus 3:13 & 14 where the name of God is I AM. (C) 2004, Don Mize |