The largely grey haired audience appeared uncomfortable as they waited to glimpse inside the brain of yet another colossal thinker brought to Perth by UWA Extension.
This time it was AC Grayling, philosopher, lecturer and author, who’s latest book polarized readers. Hardly surprising I guess since it’s called The Good Book, and written in the same style as the Bible, columns, verses and short chapters.
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| thanks to Steve Bowbrick |
The book came about after distilling 30 years of research and experience, research that ranged from old philosophers to people currently living in precarious conditions with limited resources. On top of that he studied the ethical systems seen in traditional religious beliefs, along with many philosophical approaches to life.
Through all this he gained insights about the similarities across religions and ‘how best to be human’. As a result he suggested that the road to nobility is made up of two things:
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Things you can’t control, that have to be faced with courage
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Things you can control, that need to be well directed through self mastery
During the hour long discussion he conceded that, when asked, most people find it hard to express their values. Consequently he set the audience the challenge of thinking about their values, adding that ‘it’s a short life, you need to know what you are living for’.
He also challenged us to live a ‘considered life’, a ‘reflective life of thoughtfulness’ and ‘choseness’ so we become ‘choosing human beings’ who take responsibility for their actions. Thoughts that would be echoed a few months later by the Dalai Lama.
Besides having us grappling with high ideas, his speech was also peppered with anecdotes including a joke about two women sitting on a couch. One woman having found herself in trouble was being comforted by her friend. The friend turned to her and trying to cheer her up said, ‘you’ll have to be philosophical about it dear…..don’t give it another thought.’
Driving home a while later, the petrol needle hovering over empty, just as it did years ago when making the same trip as a student, I considered whether I should risk continuing on or stop and refuel. Coasting into the closest petrol station and ravenous having had no dinner, I then found myself considering the options…chocolate muffin or chocolate cake, both looking equally sad trapped behind the finger smudged glass. Finally once home, inside, and the kettle boiled, I found myself considering whether to let my brain rest and watch a mindless reality tv show, check my emails, or finish off the latest blog post.
Sitting down, cup of tea to my left I pondered….
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Would this latest batch of decisions constitute the beginnings of a considered life? Somehow I don’t think these were the type of issues AC Grayling had in mind when he set us the challenge.
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Why am I usually one of the youngest people in the audience at these events? It’s a shame that life doesn’t allow you the time, or inclination, to be in front of such amazing thinkers when you’re younger.
