The Undeniable Ambiguity of Life

Karl Nozadze

The Undeniable Ambiguity of Life

What is the meaning of life?

The meaning of life as we perceive it is derived from philosophical and religious contemplation. The answer to this question pertains to the very significance of existence. Assuming that there is a single correct answer is the same as implying that we all have the same set of beliefs and goals. Thoreau claims that a more meaningful existence is achieved through a simple and deliberate lifestyle. This is narrow minded, for there are many who find more meaning in a single subconscious detail rather than the “essential facts of life.” Thoreau believes in looking to nature as a way of life, and he is correct in assuming that such a lifestyle would breed a more simple, deliberate philosophy of life. The problem is that his initial denouncement of the urban lifestyle is unfair. Many enjoy the spontaneous, and sometimes overly complicated nature of the urban lifestyle. Others enjoy the more crowded areas of the world because it is the interactions with people around them that define their understanding of life.

I am one of those people. I have found a great deal of meaning simply observing facial expression, hand gesture, and tone. Some of these realizations do not occur consciously, and instead randomly come to the mind hours or days later. Observing how my father interacted with vendors as a child revealed the selfish nature of man. Watching my grandmother cry for a daughter she had not seen for two years allowed me to comprehend affection and longing. Just the other day I witnessed an intriguing exchange between a teacher and her students.

A student who was slacking in class approached the teacher with a peculiar question.

“You smoke pot Ms._?”

“Focus on your work please.”

“I know you do. I bet you smoke a lot too.”

“This is due before we go off to lunch. If I don’t have it you are getting a zero.”

“Damn, Ms._ got no chill.” On the other side of the room a student enthusiastically exclaimed:

“I know exactly what Ms._ needs.” Laughter ensued, and as Ms._ is turned away I heard her whisper:

“I need a shot, that's what I need.”

I did not think much of this then, but it slowly occurred to me how much repressed anger and frustration there was. I also began to analyze the idea that how we manage our problems often defines us as people. The point is that none of this knowledge would have reached me had I decided to go “to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.” There is nothing wrong with looking to nature as way of living life, much like there is nothing wrong with looking to

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