You might be thinking, wait, this has nothing to do with politics of any sort. But before you reach a hasty conclusion, check it out. Both Conservatives and Liberals have opposing views of humanity (or the role of humans in general), which directly results in the different ideas of policies and agendas. I wrote this for ethics, the question being….Question: Lauritzen laments that contemporary scientific research considers the human body “simply as matter to be manipulated.” In what other ways should we consider the human body? Do artistic creations and literary metaphors assist us in thinking more expansively about the nature of human life? How should we think of ourselves, other than as “material to be manipulated”?
I don’t think this question can be answered simply. In science, we observe things to learn and understand more about them. Well, what do we know better than ourselves? As a human, I know we all have numerous layers, hypothetically speaking. The first few are simple. Everything physical and biological would be our first layer. We’re all composed of flesh and blood. We all feel pain. We all know joy. Now, how do you feel as an individual if someone told you, you are nothing more than matter to experimented and manipulated? My first thought? Repulsion. We feel this is wrong, but where did we get an idea of what’s wrong? More so, where have we got the idea of right? Surely, this surpasses the first layers of being human, flesh and blood.
Whether we like it or not, we’re all subject to emotions-to inner thoughts-to hopes and dreams. I’m certain we’ve all sat and thought, what is the meaning of life on earth? Is there a true purpose? Undoubtedly, philosophers and artists cause us to think more deeply with their work. Clearly, human beings are the highest species on the planet, but what differs us from a frog or cow? Many philosophical arguments could be made, but I think most clearly is the Law of Human Nature. In all cultures, there is an idea of right and wrong. We all know what is right, and feel compelled to do the right thing in life and have no idea why. Where have we got this idea of right and wrong, and who are we to question such. As C.S. Lewis said, ““My argument against God was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. But how had I got this idea of just and unjust? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing this universe with when I called it unjust?”
If there’s no right or wrong, if there’s no one to answer to, if there’s no absolute truth, what’s keeping us from doing whatever the heck our flesh desires and going out in thunder? If there are no absolutes and humans are not of any true value, why would we oppose the scientific idea that humans are nothing more than material to be manipulated? Logically, there has to be something beyond ourselves. There has to be something beyond working, going to school- the daily drudge -really, how meaningless is all of this? Why even bother go on with the toil of everyday life if we are nothing more than pointless matter that lives then dies? I don’t need to preach to the choir. Examine yourself. Are you content with living everyday with no purpose beyond yourself (and your human efforts)? I’ll be the first to say it. I’m not. I know myself. Sure, there are things in this world I love. I love music. I love being with my family and friends. I love making goals and trying to accomplish them. But truly, none of those things completely satisfy me. Emptiness is always there. Why? There is something beyond myself that tugs on my heart. It’s real. I can feel it, and I know it’s there. Humans are more than flesh and blood, and we should think of ourselves as more. What determines your self-worth? If life is simply about living as material to be manipulated with, with no greater purpose, I, for one, want no part in it.
