The Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil

It is Good Friday eve and it is a good time to contemplate, yet again, the blight of suffering in the world. I have been teaching for some time, and I could not but strengthen my conviction that no matter what gifts one possesses, what strength, wealth or intelligence, all these will not save a human being from the constant shadow of dissatisfaction and suffering. Indeed, often it is the case that 'to him whom much is given, much is expected'. In any event, having seen things at both ends of the educational spectrum--among the most advantaged and the most disadvantaged-- I see little difference in their fundamental condition.

Yes, perhaps to the world, the group with all the advantages may seem to be the luckier lot. And in the material and superficial sense, there is no doubt this is the case. This group has the prestige and the standing. They are the current academic elite, and most likely, will belong to the future socio-economic elites. But then, with the prestige comes the intense stress from parents, relatives, friends, teachers etc. to maintain their status. Then there is the constant unrelenting pressure from equally good peers. It does not matter they may be the top 0.025% or whatever--among themselves, there are losers and winners. There is always the constant fear of falling away. Fear, tension, and entrapment--their very success brings this fate.

The group with all the advantages are by far smarter in almost every way (other than maybe physical intelligence) than the other group. I say this politically incorrect thing with no qualms--for I fully recognize the unfortunate corollary. For is intelligence an unqualified blessing? Often, happy is the man who does not see clearly. For the highly intelligent can take things apart too completely, and in times of suffering, often making intense enquiries about the very purpose of existence. And can such a thing ever be solved rationally?

In the scheme of things, suffering is ubiquitious, and the highly intelligent can easily come to the conclusion that the costs of life do outweigh its benefits. Tag on a skeptical materialism, and one can see why the inclination towards death and despair is equally strong at both ends of the educational spectrum. Indeed, I would argue it may ironically be stronger among the advantaged, given their stronger will and concentration.

I personally think that people with powerful minds fall into this trap because their strong intelligence causes them to rely on the intellect too completely. Skepticism too becomes an entrenched habit. Few can appreciate that there are powers beyond mind that can see and not just think, or a heart that can find truth by a feeling deeper than thought. The deeper possibilites of life cannot be found by the intellect alone.

Not that all is dark and sad. The paradox of life is well expressed by the Genesis story about the fall of Adam and Eve. Whatever one's religious beliefs, one should be able to see the account as a potent summary of the human condition. For man is a creature who is destined, or in some mysterious way, chooses, to experience the contraries of joy and sadness, victory and defeat, pleasure and pain, good and evil. Whatever good we secure, there is a rim of evil, and whatever evil we face, a consolation of good. Whatever we are, however 'good' we seem, we carry much evil, and however 'evil' we seem, we conceal much good.

Compassion is the key to wisdom in such a world. To judge less quickly, but to see and to feel more deeply. This is however so difficult in a human nature burdened by a thick, stubborn and weary being. And in a society suffocated by fears, anger, doubts and burdens. Often the closer one is to the possible Light, the more intense and unbearable seems the darkness, and the more weary seems the earthly burden.

I do not believe that man can ever be free from the knowledge of good AND evil till he deals with its root cause. And I do not believe, unlike the secularists, that the root cause can be dealt with on a physical level. A metaphysical solution is required. The simple reason is that a deeper view will reveal that man himself is not a mere physical being. And for Christians, one can only gaze on the most paradoxical symbols of all, the Cross of God in time and the Resurrection in eternity.

It is at the foot of the Cross, gazing up at a Humanity broken, besieged and trapped, but still beautiful and inwardly divine, that one can pray in deepest truth: Kyrie eleison--Lord, have mercy.

...

Sigh. Often this writer feels so alien in this age and civilisation. Writing this, I could already envision the ??? or !!!. My true mentality, aspirations and experiences are strange, I suppose, compared to most of my contemporaries. Roll back the scenes thousands of years, and I will find many kindred folks perhaps. Another world, another age, then perhaps there will not be this ill sense where one can see and touch, but cannot enter.

Well, in life, one truly need to have a sense of humor, and simply have a good laugh over the absolute weridness of the world and myself and everyone around me. Fundamentally, laughter and a methodical madness may well be important sustenances in a bizarre universe.

Haha.