Philosophy of Life: Connecting Dots

By Ashok Kumar Sood

Rationality can answer a number of the most central questions about our existence and our universe: Why are we here? How did the universe come into existence and how will it end? What is the purpose and where will we go after death?

In Philosophy of life - Connecting Dots, author Ashok Kumar Sood explores a rational and analytical approach to answer these fundamental questions about human nature and existence and he looks to the facts about our universe and about human psychology to find rational answers. Philosophy of life starts with a curiosity and uses a methodology grounded in rationality to investigate both the physical aspects of the universe as well as the psychological aspects of the human mind. It further explores the role of perception and imagination in human life and it shows how maintaining physical, mental, social and environmental health can improve quality of life.

While religion and spirituality have offered traditional answers to life`s most important questions, a rational approach grounded in the facts of our existence can provide a more concrete foundation for optimal living. Philosophy of life connecting dots can show you how to use this rationality to accomplish the ultimate goals of life and live with tranquility, happiness and satisfaction.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing India
• Release date: May 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781482889550

Ashok Kumar Sood

Ashok Kumar Sood is a practicing Chartered Accountant and he also studied science. He is a rationalist and a keen observer of life process and the inspiration for writing Philosophy of life – Connecting Dots came from his desire to find rational answers to life and its many processes. Sood currently lives in Chandigarh, India

Book preview

INTRODUCTION

QUEST FOR RATIONAL ANSWERS TO WORLDLY AFFAIRS IGNITE INNER PASSIONS

Whenever I have time to introspect, a number of questions splurge in my mind: why and how this world is going on, when and how did it come into existence, what will be its end, what is our place in this world, why did we come in to this world, our goals, what we have to achieve, what role we have to play in life what is our ultimate end, what will our end mean, where will we go after death, whether we will go in the unending darkness, what is thinking inside us and what is death?

My observations standing in the balcony of my house and seeing the rush of people moving around, once again brings a rush of questions to my mind: what is the power governing these people, where are all these people heading to? Are they aware of their destiny? What is the power who is handling all this?

The above questions pertain to our very existence, conduct, day-to-day problems, our curiosity and anxiety with relation to our place in the universe, the how and why of all that is taking place in this universe and rationality of there being a creator and regulator and the conduct of human beings vis-a-vis other living creatures, virtues of being a human being etc.?

Quite often, we are led to the answers of these questions in religions through the concepts of God, Soul, Salvation, Heaven, Hell and Destiny. Whether these terms are creations of human minds as perpetuated from ancient times by normal human beings saints and spiritual leaders? Then question arises, what is the concept of supernatural, Almighty being a creator and regulator of everything? What is the rationale behind being a creator and whether God is a concept of mind and religion a concept of society? Whether destiny is a concept of mind and what is the concept of birth and death? Can we find answers to these questions and concepts from our experiences in life through the concept of rationale analysis?

The above dilemma takes us towards delving in to whether religion as a solution to all these questions, how long and how far it can explain all these questions or the religion simply creating illusions? What exactly is the function of religion? What is the rationality behind creation of religions by human beings? Whether, it has got relation with science? Whether, religion and science are altogether different concepts struggling for the achievement of a common goal?

Whether a mirage of some supernatural power governing this universe has been created? Whether this illusion has been deeply embedded in our subconscious mind out of ignorance through generations started from the earlier human beings knowingly or unknowingly for all of us to stop thinking beyond a point about our existence, our origin, our ultimate end and about the realities of life? Can it be one of the pertinent reasons from our point of view that by thinking about these issues we get disturbed and our enquiries turn futile to the extent that these have got no effect on the fate of human existence? A rational answer to these queries would affect us to become better human beings thereby affecting the quality of life to be lead by us throughout the life span.

The next aspect takes us in segregating how religion explains all these questions and how science as a concept is able to provide a solution to these queries. I am always caught up in the cobweb of these questions. My mind gets perplexed and the best way to handle all these questions propping up is to take them up one at a time. The fundamental proposition is to find out the rationality of these terms, concepts and perceptions for finding out the rationale answers.

There is no alternative to rational thinking. The answer to all conceivable questions lies in the analytical approach embedded in rational thinking. We have to find answers on the basis of factual assertion regarding overall view of this universe, creation of galaxies, stars, planets, origin of living creatures and analyzing environmental, physical, psychological and social aspect of human beings. The rationality of loaded terms: Spirituality, Religion, God, Soul etc used by the human beings which have a direct bearing on our conduct as human beings needs to be probed. Keeping in view the overall analysis we would perceive appropriateness of a happy, blissful and fulfilling life with peaceful co-existence for achieving inner pleasure, satisfaction, tranquility, exuberance in short peace of mind. This approach is being attempted in the present book, which tries to open doors to ones rational thinking.

It is possible, while searching for answers many questions may remain unanswered. This does not mean that the question regarding any event or happening or process for which an answer is not found, is illogical or irrational. This is mainly due to our limitations in analyzing the question.

The human existence on this earth is dependent upon the circumstances present on this planet for sustaining life in the range of 80-150 Million years. The average life of a human being under the present circumstances is in the range to 80-100 years depending upon place to place on this earth. The birth and death of human beings is inevitable. We can only make efforts to reasonably increase and continuously improve its quality. Keeping in view all the above facts it is very important to rationally analyze what type of life a man should lead and what should be his attitude towards his fellow human beings. Why should we become communal, why should we restrict our ideas. Why should we not have broad mind enough to see the welfare of the whole humanity or you can say the living beings.

The inspiration for writing this book came from my inquest queries as arising in the mind of any other human being for finding answers regarding life. It all started in tits and bits. There was a plethora of questions, queries, contradictions about universe, universal phenomenon, life, life phenomenon, conducts, perceptions and other so many related issues. I was trying to find answers to individual queries but the juggernaut of varied and diversified topics on the issues forced me to take up, rationally analyze all the issues from its origin to end and to connect dots in order to have a concerted approach and view. I started taking up each query one by one and I realized that answers to all queries started unfolding like the peaks of onion and at the end I realized that no question remained unanswered or for which I could not comprehend.

To find out answers to the queries raised regarding our existence, conduct, day to day problems and our place in the Universe, the first and paramount aspect is that we have to find out and place the facts in the right perspective and the logical answers emerge out of that only. One cannot find answers to all worldly and spiritual affairs unless one rationally understands the basic facts about all aspects of life and laws governing these affairs.

HUMAN INNATE TRAITS AND NATURAL INSTINCTS IS FULCRUM OF HAPPENINGS IN HUMAN LIVES

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The source of all awareness of cognitive process is human brain. Every living organism has evolved itself and carries certain innate traits and natural instincts. The most defining innate trait of human beings is its cognitive quotient which is much higher than the other known living organisms on the earth. However, brain with its cognitive ability coupled with natural instincts has been the pivotal/fulcrum of all and everything happening in human life. It is the source of awareness, imagination, creator and developer of inner and external realms of human life. Innate traits and natural instincts are defining parameters for all life processes as every single aspect of life originates from these. Human brain, requirement of human body, human sensory organs and interaction amongst these three is fundamental to our existence as human beings. The fulcrum of all knowledge and awareness emerges from the innate traits and natural instincts of human beings. The natural instincts of survival, security, companionship are conveyed to innate traits of higher cognitive ability of the brain (high intelligence) through sensory organs which take necessary action in compliance to natural instincts.

Decoding life DNA has so many correlates including methodology for undertaking rational study in any field in the form of establishing basic laws, study of physical aspect of universe, physical aspect of human beings, psychological aspects of human beings, social aspects of human beings for the purposes of analyzing conditions responsible for sustaining life on earth, life expectancy on earth, factors effecting conduct of human beings from birth to death, finding out the ultimate aim/goal of life and finding out appropriate ways to live for a elated, happy, blissful, satisfied, ecstatic, fulfilling, balances and stress free life leading to tranquility, peace, internal and external harmony and peaceful co-existence from birth to death. Accordingly, we have divided our studies into ten parts and then study each part in a systematic and rational manner to arrive at a meaningful and logical conclusion:

UNDERSTANDING BASIC FACTS ABOUT LIFE

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CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION

The first chapter is the introduction (referred to opening part of the introduction)

CHAPTER 2 FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

The second chapter of the book explains basic fundamentals in the form of concepts of Philosophy, Rationality, Science and Evolution for the purpose of any study in the matter.

CHAPTER 3 BASIC LAWS

The third chapter of the book deals with basic laws established on the basis of fundamentals and applicability of these laws are paramount to any further study for understanding any aspect of universe including human life.

CHAPTER 4 PHYSICAL ASPECT OF UNIVERSE

The fourth chapter of the book deals with facts regarding functioning of this Universe, Planetary Systems, Earth and Evolution of life on Earth. This gives deep peep into the circumstances under which human race came into existence and also explains circumstances for sustaining life on the earth, which are fundamental to the existence of human race. The evolution of organic life on earth including human race from existing matters and energies by adapting to the changing circumstances throws light on how human race that came into existence through celestial events and its ultimate fate through celestial events. It further throws light on the circumstances under which it is created and subsequent circumstances under which it will come to an end.

CHAPTER 5 PHYSICAL ASPECT OF HUMAN BEINGS

The fifth chapter deals with fact finding aspect of the working of the human body parts and system, its function, its sustainability, its requirement of basic elements including food oxygen and water and the process of intake of food, oxygen, water and its ultimate culmination into synthesis of life sustaining energy for all metabolic functions. These facts throw light on the importance of availability, quality, effective and efficient dispensation of these human body sustaining elements having ultimate effect on the quality of life of human beings.

CHAPTER 6 PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECT OF HUMAN BEINGS

The sixth chapter devolves around the facts regarding role of human mind on the quality of life of human being. The innate trait of cognitive ability of human mind being more developed than the other living creatures have been the source of all voluntary and involuntary function of the body having effect on the ultimate conduct of all human being. Its efficient mental state and generation of different emotions on account of feel perception culminating into different mental constructs has an important and defining role on the conduct of human being and quality of life from birth to death. It is pertinent to assess its true potential for the welfare of mankind.

CHAPTER 7 SOCIAL ASPECT OF HUMAN BEINGS

The seventh chapter deals with the fact finding aspect of social aspect of human being which is derived from one of the innate traits of human being on account of sense of social norms and a capacity for symbolic communication. To regulate human life, human beings developed, evolved and regulate the social systems in the forms of laws, ethics, rights and duties, code of conduct, concepts of religion, wealth etc. Further to fill colors in the life of human being, they developed evolved and regulated social systems in the form of ritual ceremonies, traditions, culture etc. The very purpose of these social systems is to bring order and fillers in the society for peaceful co-existence. This aspect plays a very vital role in the welfare of mankind.

CHAPTER 8 SOME IMPORTANT PERCEPTIONS

The eighth chapter of the book deals with finding of facts regarding generation of human perceptions out of feels perceptions and also creation of some of the imaginary entities in the mind and its effect on human life. Human perceptions generated out of ignorance, incomplete and wrong facts leads to misplaced perceptions. Human perception generated out of complete and rational facts leads to formation of perceptions in the right perspective. It is observed that some of the perceptions formed from the beginning of mankind out of ignorance, incomplete and wrong interpretation of facts got deeply embedded in the sub conscious mind and some time it is difficult to set these perceptions right. It reflects the individual mind set of each person. Their effects on the day to day conduct of human being are enormous and sometimes go astray.

CHAPTER 9 HEGEMONY OF INTERNAL THOUGHT PROCESS

The ninth chapter of the book deals with the logical corollary of the thought process from its inceptions from gathering of information through different sensory organ on account of feel perception and its ultimate dispensation in the form of conduct of human beings and its effect on the mind in the form of stress. The involuntary functions of sensory organs generate information unabated, continuous and on constant basis making permutation and combination of thoughts which ultimately affect the human conduct.

CHAPTER 10 APPROPRIATE WAYS TO LIVE LIFE

The tenth chapter of the book deals with the appropriate ways to maintain physical health, psychological health, social health and environmental health of human beings with the ultimate conclusion about the above aspects. The purpose of knowing the facts about physical aspect of Universe, physical aspect of human beings, psychological aspect of human being, social aspect of human beings, important perceptions and hegemony of thought process is to find out the critical areas of these aspects which have a defining effect on the quality of life of human being. We have summarized various parameters and present a model for appropriate ways to live life that leads to elated, happy, blissful, satisfied, ecstatic, fulfilling, balances and stress free life leading to tranquility, peace, internal and external harmony and peaceful co-existence from birth to death.

CHAPTER-2

FUNDAMENTALS OF BASIC GOVERNING LAWS

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FUNDAMENTALS

"Whenever I ponder upon-

While trying to find answers

I vehemently realize that

There is no alternative to rational thinking.

The answer to all conceivable questions lies

in the analytical approach embedded in rational thinking for

finding out the facts and ultimate aim of life

leading to Tranquility, Elation, Happiness, Bliss,

Satisfied, Ecstatic, Fulfilling life with

Peaceful coexistence from birth to death

I take a breather and move on to my inquest

Whenever I ponder upon-

While trying to find out answers

I could comprehend and find

no alternative to the concepts of

philosophy, rationality, science and evolution

for an in-depth study on every aspect of life.

I aspire to emancipate the above concepts in subsequent chapters

for rational analysis of all aspects of life"

FUNDAMENTAL CONCEPTS

Philosophy of anything through the concept of rationality, evolution and scientific approach leads to understanding of any subject in the right perspective.

This part of the book deals with fundamental concepts on the basis of which one can rationally study, analyze and understand any aspect of this universe including humans. It strives for establishing fundamentals required for any rational study. The fundamentals include concepts of philosophy, rationality, science and evolution of anything under study including, physical psychological or otherwise. Applicability of these fundamental are paramount to study any subject covered in the subsequent chapters.

At the outset before diving into the ocean of knowledge to fish out answers to our fundamental questions as described in the preceding chapter, it is important to understand the overall view regarding origin and evolution of planetary system, earth and origin and evolution of human race from primitive living cells.

Our planet earth is governed by circumstances and forces acting on it by our planetary system. Related to this is origin, evolution and the ultimate fate of life on this earth. As per scientific observations, our planetary system came into existence approx 4.54 billion years ago as a result of celestial events and happenings. As per scientific extrapolation earth will come to an end at a future date on account of celestial happenings. The formation of our planetary system and the origin of life on this planet earth can be gauged by going into the evolutionary aspect of these processes.

As per scientific observations, human race started on this earth in a very primitive way. It got evolved from a single cell in to present form. The human race is a byproduct of the nature. The human race has not been developed by choice rather it came into existence by default through celestial happenings and events and will come to an end by default through celestial events. As on record, human race is known to exist only on our planet in this universe. There is a limitation to our observation of this universe because of its vastness. Throughout our observable universe we have not been able to find out any existence of human like creatures except on earth. This does not imply that human beings do not exist in this universe in the present form or otherwise. There could be endless life sustaining planets, stars in this universe sustaining life in the same form or in some different form as per the life sustaining conditions in that planet or star.

Life on this earth is possible because of the favorable conditions prevailing on the earth to sustain life. The existence of human race depends upon multiple favorable factors such as surface, temperature, magnetic field, atmospheric conditions, availability of water, balance of energy from the sun etc. The balance of these factors leads to an average life span of about 80-100 years. May be under changed parameters the human like creatures in the present form or in a different form on another planet could sustain an average life more than or less than 80 years. The earth like atmosphere/circumstances may be present in endless stars etc.

Throughout life, every human being on account of its innate traits interact with the external environment referred to as ‘realm of external domain’ through sensory organs and creates its own internal world of facts, fictions and fantasies referred to as ‘realm of internal domain’. The sensory organ of eyes takes imagery the things, processes, events, happenings in the external domain and the other sensory organs take other feel perceptions about the environment of the external domain and as per his cognitive ability, perceptions assign attributes to the information like, shape, size, color, weight, origin, number, position, weight, volume, height, quality, multi dimensional essences in the form of good, bad, do, don’t etc mix it with feelings, emotions, information already present in the conscious and subconscious mind and creates modulated identity to the information from the abstract and create new set of facts which are considerably different from the real facts.

To look in to the life in the right perspective it is very important to understand the concept of realm of internal and external domains. The human beings interact with the external environment through sensory organs and create internal images of that in the mind. The external environment of universe, planetary system, earth and other living and non living things is the realm of external domain. The internal realm is a perceptional domain created on account of interaction of brain with the external domain through sensory organs. There is always a gap between external and internal domains. It happens on account of a lot of factors including knowledge, rationality, education, limitations etc. The said difference gives rise to our day to day actions, decisions, perceptions and beliefs

Perpetual efforts are going on in human beings from time immemorial to identify and reduce gap between perceptual internal domain and real external domain which, however can never be perfect on account of human limitations and bias.

In this book I have tried to give a glimpse of the facts about realms of external domain having defining effect on internal domain. Some of the characteristics of these terms are:

Realm of internal domain

• The internal domain comprises of captured images of external world, perceptions, imaginations, feelings, emotions, mental constructs and interprets outside domain as per individual bias.

• Internal domain is a perceptional image of external domain.

• It captures image of external domain through sensory organs.

• The captured image is converted into understandable form.

• The captured image is modulated with existing feeling, emotions, perceptions etc.

• The said domain is subject to individual bias.

• Internal domain has limitations.

• It is also subject to imagination.

• The internal processes can change perception about external domain.

• It cannot be perfect.

Realm of external domain

• Realm of external domain comprises of universe, planetary system, earth and other living and non living things.

• The external domain is a real world.

• The external domain is abstract

• It is devoid of any emotions and feelings.

• It is an unbiased fact.

• It is unlimited.

• It has no imagination.

• It is perfect.

• It cannot change as per our perceptions.

With the passage of time the human race through evolution with the greater brain power has been able to make themselves in to well galvanized, dynamic, social and constantly evolving societies in different parts of this world. The societies are marked by ever evolving written laws, traditions, rituals and social set ups as acceptable to the societies in those particular areas. The life of all human beings at different stages of life is marked by rituals and traditions for filling color in their lives. The material possessions of human beings became a powerful parameter in the society for determining the capacity of the individual to have better provisions for food, shelter, clothing, social status and power. In order to have smoother life, the life span of human beings is assigned tasks as per the different stages of life.

However, as per the study of history, a few centuries ago human beings were not even aware of the shape and size of this earth what to talk of the size and shape of our planetary system or our galaxy etc. This ignorance of not analyzing the things in a proper way and not finding answers to lot many questions led to the concept of presence of a super natural power. Every human being was afraid of the unknown. This state of mind crept into their body out of ignorance for not being able to analyze so many questions, processes etc. During this phase started the process of development of human race towards rational thinking and for this:

• A versatile medium of communication was important.

• The communication required a perfect standardization.

• Voices and shapes were standardized in the form of alphabets to make it more meaningful. Objects were named as per physical shapes and their behavioral attributes.

• By and large there was a need for analyzing the things in a systematic and rational manner which was standardized by giving it a name of SCIENCE.

• Glimpses of the development of human race into the present form are available in the theory of evolution.

In the background of the above in order to rationally understand the whole plethora of topics relating to the existence and governance of the universe including galaxies, planetary system, our earth, physical, psychological, social aspects of human beings and all other type of creations, all sort of processes and the laws governing these processes, it is imperative to know and understand the following basic concepts of life namely philosophy, rationality, science and evolution in order to have a meaningful practical and analytical view of this whole life. It has to be based on facts, rationality and not fantasies or fictions.

CONCEPT OF PHILOSOPHY

As a wider connotation, philosophy of anything through concept of rationality and scientific approach leads to understanding of the subject in right perspective. Philosophy as a concept is a system of thought leading to theoretical study of a particular field or discipline based on logical reasoning. Philosophy as a method addresses a problem by questioning with a critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational argument.

Philosophy is the mother of all studies/knowledge. It is the basic concept and is used to study anything in this universe. The basic ingredients for its methodology are concepts of rationality, science and evolution. A few examples are:

• Philosophy of history explores its nature, origins, methodology, implication, purpose and the use of history.

• Philosophy of rationality explores its nature, origins, methodology implication, purpose and the use of concept of rationality.

• Philosophy of language explores its nature, origins, methodology implication, purpose and the use of language.

• Philosophy of law explores the varying theories explaining the nature, its origin, methodology, implications and interpretation of law.

• Philosophy of mind explores its theoretical aspect of the mind its origin, working, methodology and implications.

• Philosophy of religion explores the basis of its origin, methodology, implications and purpose.

• Philosophy of science explores the foundations, methods, history, implications, and purpose of science.

CONCEPT OF RATIONALITY

The concept of rationality is paramount for undertaking any type of study in any field. Rationality can be explained as the process of finding out the cause and effect of anything being observed including process, event, happening, occurrences etc. It is a universal truth that nothing happens irrationally i.e. without any cause or logic. Rationality is synonymous to logic.

Everything happens according to some logic. What is required is to find out the logic behind that aspect. The first and the foremost precondition for undertaking any aspect of our study are to find out the rationality behind that aspect. The concept of science is also based on logical thinking. It does not recognize any illogical thinking, concept, argument, process etc. It is a kind of objective process and concept of thinking and an analytic approach to any problem and is based on reasons or facts and hence logical and realistic.

All people are capable of thinking rationally but people tend to cloud this ability because of individual limitations, perceptions, emotions and prejudices. However human thinking, observations and understanding has limitations which are limitless. Sometimes we are blinded by our limitations regarding understanding the concept of cause and effect to events, phenomenon and happenings but that does not mean that there is no cause to that event, phenomenon and happening. Irrational things or happenings are a figment of our imagination only. These limitations can however be explained with the applicability of scientific methods.

These limitations have been the main cause of human beings creating and drifting towards some imaginary concepts and perceptions including imaginary super power controlling this universe. In ancient times the human beings were not much aware about so