Existence Through Aphorisms

It was one of those humid days in Colombia, fifty kilometers above the Amazon River, whilst I was still too puerile to know the “how”’s before the “why”’s, when I asked my father whether God existed or not. He then referred to Jean Paul Sartre’s philosophy that “existence takes priority over essence,” and left me off with such complicated statement.

It might be the pathological consequence that imprinting takes place in childhood that instigated my perpetual intrigue about the real substance of life. As I continued scrutinizing more reasons to be confused—more books to amount to my experience—I gradually began to conjure my own and prevalent philosophy. Referring back to imprinting, the suggestion that existence is imperative over an individual’s essence was incrusted into my brain, as a loose eyelash would find its way to agonize the naked eye. Thus, the idea became my mystified dogma and my perplexing burden for the years to come, and the sole answer was to be found in one sentence, as the transmutation of my beliefs took presence. The words “Wisdom is knowing what to do next, and virtue is doing it” appeared on one of the pages from “The Call of the Twentieth Century”, as I felt David Starr Jordan exonerating me from my status of Atlas. It was then that Jordan’s elucidation of my obscure rationale allowed me to give a meaning to life aside from just “existing”. I was half way to being complete.

I stared blankly at the pages of “Sophie’s World” near the last chapters of the book, when one believes stories and patterns of thought converge into a conclusion. Wincing at the same words my father had cynically bombarded me with, I engaged in a crusade to provide meaning to such a brief truism. Prior to any external, mental pollution, my beliefs circled around faith and the meaning of that which surrounded me. I was ignorant and content. Following the impact of my epiphany—the words of my mentor and fatherI was forced to prioritize existence, and I began to worry about purpose, about what would make me a worse or better person than my neighbor. So, I asked myself, “why is our current existence in this world more important than where we come from?” The approach humans follow towards their development gives meaning to life; their actions determine their meaning, not their fundamental background. Therefore, I now believe in existence; I believe in actions; I believe in existentialism. As Jordan states, “wisdom is knowing what to do next”. Wisdom is identifying our resolutions and our goals. Wisdom is acknowledging that our actions become our meaning, and that we must excel in life to give substance to our presence. Wisdom characterizes existence. The dual relationship between the two axioms suddenly embodies into my philosophy of life. If it were not for Sartre, I would not believe. If it were not for Jordan, I would not understand Sartre. Thus, I owe my conviction to Jordan’s aphorism of Wisdom.

As was formerly established, a fulfilled existence gravitates around success. If one “exists”, one must strive to succeed in order to attain realization. Consequently, my life centers about success. If one acquires wisdom, success will become the resulting product, and thus Sartre’s principle will prove itself veridical. However, wisdom is accomplished by gaining the ability to determine a rightful approach to life’s circumstances. If a level of continued success is obtained, by theory of proportion, the same level of wisdom will be present. Moreover, closely following Jordan’s syllogism, performing that which is righteous confers an individual with virtue, and it is virtue (or the lack of it) that provides humans with a qualitative notion of themselves or others. Therefore, if one continually does what morale determines as righteous, one will be virtuous, and hence, substantially complete. Why, then, not live life as an aphorism that is relevant to our existence? As philosopher Immanuel Kant concurs, “Wisdom is organized life,” and it provides control over one’s existence. Accordingly, following Jordan’s adage, I supply my life with order, meaning, and virtue by the means of wisdom.

In addition, Jordan’s aphorism proves to be a more universal ideology than was originally intended. It serves as a social criticism and pacesetter for how society should view its duties and manage its dilemmas. Jordan emphasizes on how humans should determine what they feel is the right action to effect; yet, solely establishing what is right does not compel us to enforce it. The majority of humans are driven by passion instead of logic. Therefore, Jordan stipulates that the truly virtuous man does what he believes to be righteous, and if he does it well, he is competent and consequently complete.

As I continue to dwell on the quest for fulfillment, my expectations and way of life will continue to rely on existentialist ideals. Maturity and experience will provide me with new answers and distinct perspectives to my ideals, but as long as the main question of existence is provided with an answer, I shall be satisfied with the path I have carved into my life's unknown. Blessed are, then, the Sophists that spent their lives searching for an answerventuring into what so many individuals yearn for when they receive the call to knowledge. Blessed, then, are Jean Paul Sartre and David Starr Jordan for providing with meaning the ceaseless questioning that began one day fifty kilometers above the Amazon River, whilst I was still too puerile to know the “how”’s before the “why”’s. After all, every man is reduced to a simple aphorism created by a simple man in an attempt to seek fulfillment through the righteousness of virtue.