“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning.” These words, by the great intellectual mind of Albert Einstein, capture the very aspect of human nature that aids us in our progression as a species. Perhaps to fully understand the importance of human reason through the process of questioning, a proper definition should be provided for each term. Questioning – an expression of inquiry that invites or calls for a reply. Reason – the capacity for logical, rational, and analytical thought. Once an understanding of the true meanings of the words is grasped, the true understanding of human thought is able to be achieved.
To question is to attempt to gain knowledge in order to apply our reasoning ability, as humans, to further understand our surroundings. Without the ability to question there would be no progress as an individual, or as a species. We, as humans, are born with the inherent ability to question, it is that which provides us with our ability to mature and interact with our environment. It is for this fact that the idea of acceptance without questioning is considered irrational and illogical. To quote the influential mind of Joseph Joubert, “It is better to debate a question without settling it, than to settle a question without debating it.”
If the above quote is abided by in all circumstances then the progress of the human race is imminent with no possible impeding force acting against it. What inevitably holds our race back from unconstrained progress are the faulty human attributes of pride and prejudice. The truly great minds of history have realized this undeniable truth, and have urged others to come to the same realization by providing examples of how to treat others, and examples of how to interact with individuals who do not share the same views or opinions. Thus the age of reason began through the process of questioning and debate.
By understanding the truly vast importance of the process of reason through questioning, you are able to reflect on what are known as the fundamental questions of life. Now, I’m afraid, that in order to fully understand my intentions, you must be aware of the true definition of ‘fundamental questions of life’. The term fundamental means ‘of or relating to the foundation or base.’, in other words, it is used to describe the heart, or core of an item, or idea, or belief. So to use the term in context would create the meaning of ‘the core questions of life’.
Now that still leaves uncertainties as to what exactly are the core questions of life? And, are the questions not relative to the individual who is asking? The answer to the first question is quite simply: the fundamental questions of life are questions that pertain to all individuals of the human race, regardless of ethnicity, culture, religion, education, age, etc. Now the answer to the second question is not quite so simple, in fact it is rather complex due to the broadness of the question itself. It is true that questions are a personal attempt to reach enlightenment. It is also true that questions are solely relative to the individual asking them. However, the point I am trying to make is not that it is irrelative to the individual asking, but rather that no matter the relativity, the questions remain relevant to the human race as a whole. These two words are often confused for one another, but they simply cannot be applied in the same context to achieve the same result.
Now that still leaves uncertainties as to what exactly are the core questions of life? And, are the questions not relative to the individual who is asking? The answer to the first question is quite simply: the fundamental questions of life are questions that pertain to all individuals of the human race, regardless of ethnicity, culture, religion, education, age, etc. Now the answer to the second question is not quite so simple, in fact it is rather complex due to the broadness of the question itself. It is true that questions are a personal attempt to reach enlightenment. It is also true that questions are solely relative to the individual asking them. However, the point I am trying to make is not that it is irrelative to the individual asking, but rather that no matter the relativity, the questions remain relevant to the human race as a whole. These two words are often confused for one another, but they simply cannot be applied in the same context to achieve the same result.
So now that we have outlined the process of reason through questioning, as well as the definition of the fundamental questions of life, we are ready to begin our reflections…
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