Part I
The first obstacle discussed in Life Doesn't have to be Meaningless class is Religion.
Religion has greatly influenced our current mentality. It has become one of the most, if not the most, powerful spiritual aspect in the world. Regarding us being animals, religion communicates that we, humans, are actually superior beings. As it is interpreted in the book of Genesis of the Holy Bible, God originally created everything in this world for the man, the king. He first created the earth and the sea, followed by creatures known as animals, and lastly another animal that would dominate over land and life, us. As the last creation of God, and the one created on his own image, we began adapting to the world which was made for us. Thinking in such way, led us eventually to stop adapting to the world and make the world adapt to us. We now take advantage of what has been given with the ideal of us being superior, or us being a god, if not God himself. Religion suggests that we, human beings, are preferable to God, the one who thousands of people believe in. Believing in him and what the bible says stimulates the idea of us being different from other animals.
The second obstacle that prevents us from seeing ourselves as animals is science. Ironically science and religion often disagree with one another, however, these communicate basically the same idea. Similarly to the book of Genesis, the Scientific Classification also suggest that the human being is a superior being from other species. The theory of evolution states that humans are decedent from animalia. However, we are currently classified as a different specie, the homo sapiens sapiens. The end of evolution. Similarly to the bible, science suggests that we are the last being. This also enforces our ideal of being superior beings that must adapt to the adapting surroundings, society. The human reasoning is far greater than any other animal. Therefore it is inevitable to develop a different aspect that classifies us as a non-animal being.
The third obstacle discusses our daily experiences as human beings. As kings of the universe we often perform tasks that are considered non-animal. We also relate mostly with others similar to ourselves. Most of our daily time is spent with other human beings. helping us emphasizing non-animal tasks as the main objective of our lives, which is the forth obstacle of this topic. In the world today it is very important to give a good self impression to the other kings. This applies doing unnecessary tasks everyday which most of them tend to require a long period of time. For example, applying make up, extra amount of work out, or learning as much as possible to shine in the future. All these have the same non-animal purpose. To look good. In the world we live in, it is required to perform these tasks in order to get along with other human beings. It is not necessary to include other animals in this competitive kingdom. As we are aware of, they are not even considered as a competition to us. In our society we identify animals as pets or as test objects/subjects. And by not spending sufficient time with other animals we do not learn or experience different aspects from what we have already seen. We do not even know if we are interested in discovering and practicing this aspect of ourselves. Keeping it as a blind spot is the best and most comfortable way of living.
As human beings with specific ideals of superiority we do not allow ourselves to experience complete happiness. It is not complicated to assume that animals do not experience the emotional and physical struggle human beings experience by choice. Recognizing ourselves as a simple animal that happens to habituate this planet would be nearly impossible. At this point, we know far too much about inventions and linguistic phenomenons made up by us that would automatically make us act differently. A new born could be raised as his natural self by spending most of his time with other animals, however the level of reasoning is still different. It would be inevitable to be more practical than other animals. Humans are not the only ones that teach other humans about life. Life itself teaches us how to survive. Being on the top of the food chain goes along with natural selection. Naturally, human beings have a higher percentage of surviving, we just do not recognize it. We see ourselves as weak beings that would not survive in the wilderness. We have not only develop our minds based on this ideal, but our bodies as well. We have grown dependent on things around us that we have forgotten how capable we are. Which differences us the most with other animals who live to live. We live to kill our natural self.
The fifth obstacle that prevents us from seeing ourselves as animals is philosophy. The deep study of the human mind and human reactions have greatly contributed to consider ourselves as superior beings. Wondering about our existence in the world is one of the most, if not the most complex thinking of the human being. Chains of questions and rates of instructions are constantly created by us. With what purpose? This obstacle is different from the one previously discussed. This focuses more on explaining and excusing our existence rather than practicing it. For example, the philosopher Rene Descartes profoundly communicated a theory explaining who we were. He believed that he was not an animal but a thinking being whom was able to see "the truth". His theory stated: "I think, therefor I am", suggesting that we are our minds and not our bodies. Our ability of resonating more than other species has been considered as the true existence. Us being our minds and not our bodies, difference us greatly from any other specie based on behavior. Animals are known to entirely follow their instincts and behave according to these. Therefore, Descartes thought of them as non-thinking beings, implying that they did not possess any type of feelings or emotions, but a mere automatic response. Physical reflects. Conducting experiments with animals to clarify his point made philosophical studies today consider his theory of mind vs. body.
Furthermore, this might highly involve a religious point of view, which introduces the sixth obstacle of this topic. As previously mentioned religion describes human beings as superior, but it does not explain our physical existence. The sixth obstacle discusses this dualism, the soul, and immortality. Descartes ideology and what Genesis communicates might go along with one another. If we are our minds we might as well be our soul, which will eventually depart to heaven or hell based on how it -thought- and acted while it was in the body. Our soul would be an immortal phenomenon with the privilege of living in a body as a superior being. The sense of immortality can be comforting to thousands of people, explaining their dedication and love for spiritual beliefs. According to Descartes, The body is nothing but a container, and if animals behave based on their body, then they are nothing but an object with a specific shape based on its specie. Regardless of our body being originally a perfect functioning surviving system it is simply recognized as a temporal container for what truly matters. This is another idea that fundamentally affects our self consideration in this world, and lowers the position of other animals.
Part II
Identifying ourselves as actual animals would allow us to live happily. some of the benefits that we would obtain if this were to happen are: Child birth, Body importance (its me), Emphasize the physical and No special rescue.
These benefits would physically and mentally impact our lives as human beings. These are based on our animal self rather than our usual self. The first benefit, child birth, would be entirely different from what it is known today in our culture. Women today greatly depend on doctors and medical technology to deliver their child without questioning their level of reliability. Experiencing a great amount of physical pain and painful medical procedures is anticipated and considered as the usual. Although we are animals who are capable of going through child birth successfully without any medical attention, most people do not come to even consider this option. The benefit of doing this naturally would be that the process would possibly last shorter, less physical pain and faster rehabilitation. However, as human beings is it inevitable to feel afraid of leaving our comfort zone.
The second benefit, the body importance, contradicts Descartes ideal. It also considered that our physical body is also ourselves. We are physical and emotional individuals. If the importance of our physical identity is considered then as human beings we would experience the fascination of physical control, and life would be more interesting by being more active. Instead of spending a great amount of time remaining still and exercising our minds we would exercise our natural identity and create a sense of balance within ourselves. This benefit directly leads to the following benefit which is to emphazise our physical.
The forth benefit would not be a benefit as a reasoning human being. This specific aspects discusses the realistic situation of our current world. Considering the possibility that there might be no spiritual phenomenon that is looking after human kind or any other type of force that would help us survive during complicated times do not exist, then what would be of us? We would be as any other animal living in this world with no special treatment from something beyond ourselves. Human kind just UNREASONABLY happened and we have caused great damage to our surroundings and other animals because of the circumstances. If we were to identify ourselves as animals and be aware that we are on our own in terms of surviving then we would be much capable of not only providing ourselves with what we need but also accomplishing the act of living and depend on our physical.
Part III
I also have an explanation regarding what we are. Indeed we are living organisms with specific natural needs. But as human beings we learn to be machines. Machines that constantly question life and give meaning to every aspect around us. The only difference that significally stands out to me between human beings and animals is that animals are unreasonable and live presently. Because of our culture and the messages we've received we cannot live in such way.
Realistically speaking we indeed share some aspects with other animals, such as our natural needs. However it is very easy so interpret ourselves as different because of our level of reasoning. Regarding the philosophy obstacle, humans also treat other humans as objects. We even treat ourselves as objects the most without considering our feelings. However considering our feelings for such thing would not make us behave naturally either. It is complicated to understand the animal way of life because we are not familiar with it, in terms of actually experiencing it. Our fear to experience this significant aspect of ourselves is due to how we were educated.
I have been taught that as a human being I should follow an idealism created by the corrupted mind of the adults. the ones who bestowed "the truth" upon us, we are different from animals. The world relies on this reasoning to keep rotating. The "the truth" has been long wrecked and it is nothing more but a mere skeleton of a concept. Communicating that we are not like the rest of the animals happens to fit the truth that we are seeking. It is no different from a puzzle one cannot solve. Animals seem to live the moment they are living. In our case adults fondly remember the past and children use the future to escape. However, we live in the present that is why we try to find the right way to live our lives for the future. But ultimately who lays out the right path? and how can we tell if we have deviated if we cannot see what is true? These are not third rate instruction, just mere blaming questions expressing my jealousy for the animal way of life.
Regardless of my beliefs, I am just like an animal surviving each day in wilderness. As different species we now have a different concept of survival. Society is difficult to survive in. Similarly to animals we prepare to live in on our own, and provide ourselves with needs.
However, we also provide ourselves with wants, which makes us break this bond. Having a pet and identifying it as a companion reflects our feelings for animals. Some people see animals as irreplaceable beings, and treasure them for the future. The lives of many species depend on our behavior, and most of us do not so something to positively contribute and safe life. If we stop expecting, and begin elaborating, then we would be much happier. Animals do not wait and expect for a miracle provided by a powerful being to live their lives. We live as useless beings that keep on wreaking the truth of ourselves. Even if we become aware of this, most of us would not know what do next. Animals also have feelings but these do not overcome their lives. Looking at the animal way of life would be a great example to learn something else about ourselves. To experience a different world from what we have already seen would allow us to be more in touch with the natural world and even ourselves. The only way we can apply this to our lives is by accepting this truth about ourselves and be more considerate to our natural needs. Our body needs attention as well; taking care of ourselves and respecting our needs would cause us to live in peace. Human beings will continue on being superior from other animals, but actually applying this optional way of living to our lives would make us think differently. It is because of our consciousness that we keep on dividing ourselves with other animals. However, I think it is possible to become more in touch with our natural beings. And then human kind would not be a king but a mere servant of the kingdom. Most of us live that way already, but not to other species or the environment, but to other people. It is up to the farmers to lead the sheep to a different path.
