What is Purpose?: On amorality.

Picture of St. John's College (Maryland Campus)

When I came to an ‘elite’ University; I went to learn, and grow, and interact with those who I never would’ve before. But also, because of some bizarre value-judgment I had in my head, that I had to go to a school that I could consider in some way ‘elite’, now I am in no way a detractor of lower-ranked higher education (I applied to about 200 schools). But when I came to this college that I now attend as a freshman student- I learned something that many before me have, that prestige is bullshit. 

I imagine that shock, of learning that there is very little difference between a student at a top 20 v. top 50 school, is somewhat similar to when my dad learned at Harvard Law School that some arguments (at least according to one of his professors) are simply “bullshit”. 

That feeling, of what we consider the ‘objective’ (which in the case of Universities is manifested in rankings, and in later life manifested in power and money) being completely out of touch with reality, and out of touch with what feels right in our souls, is largely the premise of this article. Although I will warn you, I am 17, I know nothing. This is not an article to answer, but rather, ask questions. 

In my opinion, to say something is ‘good’, or ‘logical’, or the even assign morality to a subject- has somehow fallen out of vogue in more contemporary philosophy (a contrast I see starkly with my classics-oriented education at St. John’s College). The controversy of morality, that I see spattered around the internet and some finance bros, is just wrong. It’s not wrong because of some logical, or perhaps even sound argument; but it simply just bullshit. 

This brings me back to my experience as a Freshman at St. John’s; I am told to ask questions about everything, and assume I know nothing. Which is perhaps a good way of learning, but is also a deeply questionable approach to life, and almost contrary to the philosophy that is taught at this college of ‘Great Books’. 

Yet as I write this article, I can almost hear my Tutors (the official title of professors at SJC) telling me to question everything, or at least, think critically of my own thoughts and values. 

Yet a deeper, more thoughtful and truthful thought appears in my head in response to this. 

If life means nothing, then why exist? 

Now, I may not have the answer to that question for you, but I do know that there is a point in existing, in fact, in an unhealthy yet rewarding way I have already answered this question. 

Life matter because life is. My purpose- which does not have to be the same as yours- is to make life better for people. In any way that I can.

Life is for ours to enjoy, and for others to be made better.