Let your ego go.I question the value of the notion that "two primary drives" contend "for the possession of the person" ("Being, Courage, and Love," January/February 2007). Belief in a "drive" or a "force" would make me too complacent about the future of life on this planet. More realistic is Stephen Jay Gould's consciousness of contingency, random variation, and probabilistic (probability) probabilistic - Relating to, or governed by, probability. The behaviour of a probabilistic system cannot be predicted exactly but the probability of certain behaviours is known. Such systems may be simulated using pseudo-random numbers. Evolutionary computation uses probabilistic processes to generate new (potential) solutions to a problem. See also deterministic, non-probabilistic. reasoning. Human life is extremely dependent on knowledge of the natural world, which can only be accumulated by the cooperative effort of human communities through generations. Obsession with the ego is an impediment im·ped·i·ment (  m-p d  -m to acquiring that knowledge. Ego forgetfulness in pursuit of adventure, discovery, truth, and beauty produces joy and truly courageous action. People who live fully often increase their risk of dying earlier and, in an oppressive society, they are likely to be persecuted or even tortured. To paraphrase Jesus, blessed are those who risk persecution for the sake of truth and justice. Human survival and well-being depend on those people. Dale L. Berry Grants, NM |
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