We do not have to understand the reason we are driven or compelled to act. There are multiple examples in nature of animal and plant behavior that is beneficial, but we do not believe that the tree comprehends or is able to express why it spreads its branches. The same can be said of why the cicada has a reproductive cycle that is a prime number, or why the optimal shape for cells in a honeycomb is the hexagon; 17-year locusts and bees cannot express the mathematical reasoning behind their natural inclinations except by continuing to act in a manner that is (for whatever reason) more beneficial.

So why do we (humans) feel compelled to search for answers / reasons? It must be the same (underlying) reason that the bee creates hexagonal honeycomb cells; it must, (in some way that we cannot quite grasp, express, or prove), be beneficial.

We humans have long asked the question 'Why?' It is one of the first questions we (feel compelled to) ask as a very small child, and it is (unfortunately) one of the first questions discouraged by the world of adults. It appears that other animal and plant species do not spend energy pondering 'why'. They seem to simply go about their business resolving where, what, when, who, and how in order to live another day. If you are following the line of thought, you know I am not suggesting we model our behavior after other species; though some 'powers that be' may prefer that. I am suggesting that we continue to ask 'Why?' and I am suggesting that we do not get caught up in asking why we ask why. As a group (all of Humanity) we will (and should) continue our quest for Truth and Wisdom; i.e. Happiness. As individuals we will continue to do this to varying degrees, but I am confident that a very large majority of us periodically ponder 'Why?' in one set of circumstances or another. I am 53 years old - My wife and I went shopping for a new bed 2 weeks ago - The one we chose has a 25 year guarantee - The night we purchased it I asked her if we had just bought our deathbed. We laughed; but it is on this proverbial deathbed that many of us ultimately come around to the question 'Why?' And that is as close as I will get to a reason why we ask why, (and why we attempt to answer why); and it is very similar to the question - Why do all plant and animal species feel compelled to live another day?

These thoughts encouraged me to revisit a previous post. Upon doing so I am struck (again) by the wide chasms between varying transcendental beliefs, and the absolute certainty with which many are presented. This is (briefly) characterized by the following excerpt from that post, 'Global Happiness':

"Look at what large populations in proximity to other large populations have accomplished compared to isolated bands, tribes, or even small countries with smaller populations. Yet spiritually we have chosen to isolate ourselves in small bands, on separate islands, whose flora and fauna represent varying faiths, beliefs, and superstitions. Perhaps we need a Great Flood to bring us together; or a Great Drought to dry up the land and the seas, and show us we are not that far apart."

And this took me back to the previous post 'Discomfortable Happiness' in which I quoted Soren Kierkegaard:

"If I am able to apprehend God objectively, I do not have faith; but because I cannot do this, I must have faith. If I want to keep myself in faith, I must continually see to it that I hold fast the objective uncertainty, see to it that in the objective uncertainty I am out on 70,000 fathoms of water and still have faith."

From there I went on to say that 'Certainty is the antithesis of true faith.'

Faith is defined as 'belief that is not based on proof.' A 'Leap of Faith' further illustrates the implied uncertainty that is necessary for faith to be faith. Those who claim to KNOW the answer to the question 'Why?' and those who have stopped asking the question 'Why?' are operating from a position of oblivious ignorance, as opposed to the favorable acknowledged ignorance; (see 'last week's post' where I make the case that to know is to not know, and to not know is to know).

In previous posts I have touted exoteric goodness and inner peace each as a potential bridge from empirical reality to a transcendental possibility; (see this previous post - 'Conceptualizing Happiness'). Based on recent week's thoughts, I believe the flow from (1) acknowledged ignorance to (2) uncertainty and doubt to (3) thoughtful, skeptical questioning of everything to (4) our continuing search for Truth and Wisdom, (I originally dubbed the Why-Flow) also has the potential to bridge that gap from empirical reality to a potential transcendental reality. Upon further examination I believe this Why-Flow is more of a Why-Cycle as the last position (our continuing search for Truth and Wisdom) brings us back to our first position (acknowledged ignorance), thus like all efficient cycles accomplishes some work and restores the system to its original position in order to accomplish more work.

And asking 'Why?' is work; especially in the face of those who would like to squelch the question and cast out those who ask it. Though my efforts may appear futile (even at times to myself) I have faith that, like the accidental discovery of polishing stone into a hand axe, my incremental accumulations will continue to benefit me and (by virtue of this active, contributory hope) hold the potential for wider beneficence.