The Science of Life: Knowledge is Freedom, Freedom is Power

By Andrew Tao

WHAT WAS THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE WAY YOU VIEWED EVERYTHING?

The Science of Life will challenge your understanding of the world and your part in it.  

Facets of your life will be broken down into their core.

Within these pages, uncover the secrets behind courage, co

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shawline Publishing Group
• Release date: Aug 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9781922993892

Andrew Tao

One question has always been on the mind of Andy Tao - What does it mean to become one's best self? Is it attaining a successful career, earning lots of money, or perhaps, something deeper?Andy does not have twenty plus years of experience in a given field but is instead like most people in their early twenties, learning and figuring things out. What makes Andy stand out is an unwavering curiosity backed by his highly unique way of thinking and interpreting the world to uncover the truths of life. While scientists look at the physical world around us, Andy is trying to understand the world unseen.Where others seek for truth, Andy looks for the truths behind the truths.

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The Science of LIFE © 2023 Andrew Tao.

All Rights Reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in

a review.

This is a work of non-fiction. The events and conversations in this book have been set down to the best of the author’s ability, although some names and details may have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. Every effort has been made to trace or contact all copyright holders. The publishers will be pleased to make good any omissions or rectify any mistakes brought to their attention at the earliest opportunity.

Printed in Australia

Cover and internal design by Shawline Publishing Group Pty Ltd

First Printing: August 2023

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Paperback ISBN 978-1-9229-9383-0

Ebook ISBN 978-1-9229-9389-2

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This book is dedicated to all those who wish to strive in life.

Why You Should Read This Book …

The motivation to do something does not arise from an understanding of what one wants to do or how one wants to do it. Motivation comes from an understanding of why one wants to do; all other understandings are secondary.

Sometimes, we may think we know why we want to do something, but often, our own understandings of ourselves do not match who we truly are. You may tell yourself you go to work because you want money, but is that a reason that resonates with what you want to achieve in life? Your desire for money is not your own, but one necessitated by economic constraints. Without a personal reason to go to work, the motivation to do so is simply not there – and when humans are driven purely by incentives, unhappiness is born. Passion itself does not bring about happiness; it only does when it motivates us towards action.

But not understanding why one should study, work, or go to the gym is only a small fraction of a greater problem. Not understanding why we should uphold morals, why we should be respectful, why we should be compassionate, why we should be courageous, why we should be resilient, why we should pursue knowledge, and why we should pursue personal growth is the root cause of all evils, lost potentials, and tragedies on this earth.

War exists because those who start it do not understand why we should not resort to violence. For if one does not know the answer, one cannot be motivated to prevent it. Then, the choice between war or peace becomes a decision based on rationality and self-interest rather than compassion and morality. We can identify every possible wrongdoing in this world and trace it to one of two sources: an unloving human heart or a foolish, undisciplined mind.

The global education system has become good at stuffing knowledge and skills into children’s heads. It has become good at teaching them what is good and how to do it, but it has utterly failed to teach them why they should adopt those good habits – why compassion, respect, and integrity should be upheld. The fact that we have not yet realised the need to teach people why they should be good is gravely concerning.

I still have much to learn, so I do not yet know whether all my current beliefs about the world are true. However, there is one thing I can be certain of. All tragedies caused by immoral behaviour are inherently unnecessary, for we have always been able to teach the proper understanding of right and wrong. We just never saw the importance or means of doing so. In all wrongdoings, both the abused and the perpetrator are victims of an inadequate society. While it can be difficult to show compassion to the perpetrator, doing so is the only path towards understanding the greater problem at hand: the failure of our education systems and traditional parenting.

The content you are about to read was drawn from my various observations about and interpretations of the world. Some came from the inspiring actions of good people, some from the evils committed by criminals, some from the immense suffering of victims, and some from my own mistakes.

So why should you read this book? Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Happiness exists in a form that is simple but deceptive to us humans. The path to it is not difficult, just unexpected, because our expectations of happiness ironically prevent us from looking for it correctly. In its true state, happiness is a mystery. Finding it involves solving many puzzles, working through countless mazes, and overcoming all sorts of unknowns. In acquiring knowledge, you will find your definition of joy.

To the Materialist

Things are meant to be used and people are meant to be cared for, but in this world, it is becoming the other way around. Things are loved; people are used. And so, this begs the question – is it yourself you love and care for, or is it the things you have or lack?

Planes are not the reason we fly. The minds, ambitions, and passions of their creators are.

People are not things. We are sentient beings capable not only of intelligence but also of powerful feelings. These two elements provide our greatest gift and purpose: creation, innovation, the advancement of both oneself and the world.

And so, does it not intrigue you to learn more about character growth? To learn more about human intelligence, and human feeling? Learn to understand and value them, to master and utilise them, so you may reach your fullest potential.

To the Powerless and Powerful

Perhaps the greatest weakness of the powerful is their inability to understand what it means to be weak. A person always well-clothed will, in time, forget what it means to be cold. A person always well-fed will, in time, forget what it means to be hungry. A person immersed in the world’s privileges will, in time, forget what it means to be weak. And soon, what most consider privilege, the privileged consider ordinary, and their enjoyment of their privilege diminishes.

More concerning, however, is the fact that people who no longer understand the issues of the weak are placed in positions of power, where they become responsible for resolving those issues. How could a person who does not understand the formula of a mathematic equation possibly be able to solve it?

Thus, to those without power: strive to help people weak in wealth and status but strong in determination and compassion reach positions of power. Or strive to become such a person yourself. To those with power: strive to understand your privilege and utilise it appropriately. To understand privilege is to understand the lack of it. To utilise it appropriately is to care about those beyond your own circles. And so, does it not intrigue you to learn more about character growth? To learn more about human intelligence, and human feeling? Learn to understand and value them, to master and utilise them, so you may reach your fullest potential.

To the Youth

When we are young, it is much wiser to broaden our knowledge than to specialise it. In this world, all knowledge is connected. To understand one but not all is to understand nothing. If you cannot see the roots of existence, you do not understand it. If you cannot see how one thing is connected to many others, you do not understand it. Thus, to be passionate about learning is to be on the path to understanding the whole world.

In time, when an individual does specialise, based on their passions and gifts, they will be more than just intelligent – they will be wise. To be smart is to know, and to be wise is to have vision.

When you are young, be patient.

When you are young, be curious and open-minded.

When you are young, know that it is okay to feel confused and lost.

When you are young, know that your greatest teachers will be both your inspirations and your mistakes.

And so, does it not intrigue you to learn more about character growth? To learn more about human intelligence, and human feeling? Learn to understand and value them, to master and utilise them, so you may reach your fullest potential.

To the Hurt

The fact that human beings can experience pain is not a curse, but a blessing. Without the ability to feel hurt, we would not have the ability to feel compassion. Through our collective understanding of pain, we possess a common empathy for it.

Many endure a great amount of suffering and hardship. Some lose their confidence; some bend under the pressure and take their own lives. Society views such individuals as vulnerable and dependent, but in reality, they hold tremendous potential.

To the hurt: you understand pain more than the average person. As such, you are also capable of extraordinary compassion. If you can transform your weakness into the source of your strength, you will make invaluable contributions to the world.

Regardless of the source of your pain, do not let hatred become your comfort. Do not dedicate your entire existence to blaming an external force you have no control over. Most importantly, do not give in to despair. Each person lost to suicide is a potential activist, life coach, and light lost. You win the war within when your pain becomes your asset.

And so, does it not intrigue you to learn more about character growth? To learn more about human intelligence, and human feeling? Learn to understand and value them, to master and utilise them, so you may reach your fullest potential.

A Personal Reflection

It is not so much that people are selfish – it is more that they cannot see beyond their own worldviews. If a person fully understood the negative consequences their actions had on others, they would refrain from committing such actions. Most of the time, we hurt others not because we intend to, but because we do not understand how our actions may hurt, or what being hurt feels like to others. If someone knew all this, yet continued to hurt others regardless, then that person would not be a person but a monster. That is what evil is, intelligent yet vile.

But are monsters real? Do they exist in this world?

When a person murders, it is because they do not care for the life of their victim. They do not care for the life of their victim because they do not understand the value of human life. They do not understand morality. Thus, they do not have empathy. Someone who understands all these things could not possibly commit cold-blooded murder. There cannot exist a cold-blooded murderer who is also empathetic and morally just. And so, what would happen if a murderer learnt these things? More importantly, what if a would-be murderer learnt these things? Would a death be prevented?

And so, I ask: would such a ‘murderer’ constitute a monster or a human? Human beings hurt others due to a lack of knowledge. Monsters hurt others with full knowledge. Human beings are foolish; monsters are evil.

I would say that the vast majority of people on this earth are doing as much good as they can to the extent of the knowledge they have. At the same time, we are humans who often happen to do silly things. But that is okay, because making mistakes and learning from them is what creates growth, and growth is what creates a future worth striving for.

It is often said that people cannot change. I disagree. It is not that people cannot change; it is that they do not know how to, they do not want to, or they do not know why they should. The world has been constantly changing: politically, economically, socially, scientifically. Is our changing world not a product of us changing? As we become more intelligent and ambitious, our world advances. How could new ideas be created if human thinking did not change? Perhaps that is why we change – to improve ourselves, others, or the world.

But many people, past and present, do not believe in this. Many people care only for their own world, their own life, and their own security. This is especially true in competitive and economically developed societies, as competition tends to make humans more selfish. And this is why we hurt each other.

But competition is not the main culprit. Competition is merely a factor that exacerbates an existing problem. The real cause of self-centred individuality is the inadequate education system. We are born into a society that tells us to be kind, but never why, nor sometimes even how. Some find the answers to these questions through experience. But most continue to exist in a world of mirrors: their own world, only and always glued to their own perspectives.

For many, kindness has become nothing more than a means to improve their social status and image.

For many, education is not about learning, but about becoming qualified for a job.

For many, work is not about bettering society, but about bettering the wallet.

For many, politics is not about helping the most vulnerable people of society, but about imagery and votes.

For many, principles and morals are just the by-products of social conformity.

Most people do not realise how insincere they are until they begin to question their motives. When you begin to scrutinise altruism, especially your own, you will find greed, fear, and selfishness. The growth of our economic, technological, and scientific knowledge has been exponential, but our growth in moral education has stagnated.

Knowledge is the cure to this problem, for we ultimately lack the understanding of good qualities. Just as murderers do not understand the value of empathy, liars do not understand the value of truth, selfish people do not understand the value of compassion, cowards do not understand the value of courage, small-minded people do not understand the value of curiosity, and so on. Just as the acquisition of new knowledge has advanced our world scientifically, economically, and technologically, it can advance us morally and spiritually.

But this kind of knowledge does not even have its own name yet. Some might call it wisdom; others may call it philosophy or religion. But I prefer to call it something else: the science of life.

Introduction

If you are reading this right now, it might be because you want to grow as an individual and would like to know where to start, or perhaps it is curiosity that drives you. Whatever the reason, whichever the prompt, I believe you were meant to pick up this book, just as I was meant to write it. I do not yet know what true purpose publishing it will serve, just as you do not yet know what effect reading it will have on your life. For both of us to find our answers, we simply must go on. Destiny is not something that can be seen. It can only be discovered, and that is why tenacity is one of the greatest pathways to the truth, perhaps second only to curiosity.