A new goal:

Wisdom for wisdom sake, knowledge for knowledge sake, and virtue for virtue sake.

Wanting more

Striving for more happiness and joy— is this what drives capitalism, feelings of discontentment, and more?

Perhaps a better goal:

Strive after wisdom, understanding, virtue, grandeur, magnanimity, and attempt the epic?

Also, striving to create more, make more, think more, wonder more, remix more, challenge more, and dare more?

Happiness and joy as the carrot and stick

We desire to become “happier” and to spark more joy in our lives. And how do we strive to do that?

Strive to make more money, buy more, acquire and accumulate more, and to gain more wealth, power, and influence. Striving for honors, distinction, respect, and admiration.

But what if these goals were too basic — and simply distractions for us to achieve something more epic, grand, and unforeseen?

Philosophy and higher goals

I believe philosophy is the answer. To seek new heights, seek new tastes, and to discover new sources of knowledge and wisdom as the true luxuries of life.

What makes something a luxury? That it’s superfluous, not necessary, and has no practical utility. A luxury doesn’t improve our lives, but certainly changes the aesthetic.

Perhaps the ultimate luxury in philosophy is this:

Wisdom for wisdom sake, knowledge for knowledge sake, and virtue for virtue sake.

Wisdom, knowledge, virtue

Wisdom in actions. Knowledge in information on how humans and universe works. Virtue as magnanimous grandeur in human affairs, morals, and ethics.

Dare more!

ERIC