Homo sapiens represent the current culmination of the evolutionary processes on this planet, where the creation and modification of living organisms are ongoing. Our species has developed unique faculties that enable us to think, distinguishing us from other organisms. Scientists and philosophers often debate the nature of thinking, how it works, and the origins of life. Personally, as a living organism, I have spent decades exploring and experimenting with this thinking ability to achieve a satisfying understanding.
While individual understanding of life is intriguing, achieving a complete understanding is currently unattainable. The thinking process can create beliefs that seem believable and satisfying but often cannot withstand the scrutiny of scientific methodology.
About Living
For me, the truth about living is that the thinking process is an inherent facility within the human organism, and this organism will eventually expire. There is no reason to fear death, as it is an inevitable part of life. The crucial question is how one understands and lives life. To contemplate life, one must recognize known truths.
Individualism and Evolution
The ability to think leads to the perception of oneself as an individual, which in turn creates a sense of aloneness and individualism. All living beings, including humans, are products of the planet’s evolutionary processes, manifesting as living organisms through the work of nature. The mind and body are linked by the organism, with a perfect correspondence between mental processes and bodily processes. Thoughts and ideas in the mind mirror physiological processes in the body.
Rationalism and Emotions
Rationalism emphasizes the power of reason and the importance of clear and distinct thinking. It views rationality as the path toward attaining knowledge and understanding. However, emotions and passions also impact human thinking. Emotions can be described as cognitive judgments about events that affect us. According to Spinoza, gaining self-understanding and managing emotions leads to greater clarity of thought.
Knowledge and Freedom
Spinoza believed that true knowledge and understanding lead to greater freedom. By gaining insight into the causes of our thoughts and emotions, we can achieve self-mastery and free ourselves from being solely driven by external influences. By understanding and aligning oneself with the fundamental laws of nature, one can experience a sense of unity and attain a state of tranquility.
The Thinking Process
Ideas about the thinking process revolve around incorporating reason, self-understanding, emotion management, and the pursuit of knowledge to achieve personal freedom and a deeper connection with the universe.