. . . the search for answers is part of man's heritage . . .

ANSWERS

By Gordon H. Hisayasu

There are many questions whose answers lie beyond the scope of current human knowledge. These are questions that defy our human intellect, beyond the scope of our scientific theories and hypothesis, our religious beliefs, and even the explanations the human mind conjures up in the vastness of our imagination. As more hypothesis and theories become facts, and the mysticism of our religious beliefs become more concrete and provable, then perhaps the future of Man may someday allow the unraveling of the great mysteries of the unknown. However, for now, the finite life of an individual requires the mind to look for answers as best it can, given the facts and insights of the present.

It seems that all the areas of science are gathering data and collecting a myriad of speculations, encompassing such things as, theories of the origins of the universe, the origins of Man, evolution, and the biochemistry of life and human function, etc. Also in the mix are the revelations of the great religions of the world, with answers to questions involving spirituality, immortality, and morality, including ideas on the meaning and purpose of life. Science relies on theories and evidences, from the product of human intellect and experiments. Religions rely on divine inspiration, products of belief and faith. The questions of "what?", "how?", and "why?" seem to require both science and religion for answers.

To find answers to some of the questions and incorporate the best of science and the best of religious theories, without contradicting scientific fact and religious faith, takes a great stretch of imagination and creativity. The answers must incorporate the current, ever-changing progress of human discovery and still not offend the sanctity of your own religious beliefs. They should not stray from reason and leave a taste of being off-track with intellect. They should not be pure speculative possibilities, but reasoned probabilities. Since knowledge is so finite and religions so unprovable, the mind must reach far and study much to search out reasonable answers. The idea is to stretch the mind to it’s limits utilizing intellect and expending energy. That effort must become a goal or quest of trying to grasp meaning and value from human existence and project a destiny that defines purpose.

I search and find no answers. I study and find more questions. I cannot step out of the small realm of my education and experience, nor effectively reach into the vast pool of human knowledge and experience to gather data. I am so defined by my conditioning as a person that it is hard to get beyond my limitations, even in imagination, to be in a suitable creative mode to reach out for new ideas. I am the product of my times, the product of history, the product of my species, the product of society and the product of prejudices and bias. I am limited to a small, finite time in the vast timelessness of eternity. I am one of many in an immense world, and exist on a planet, in a solar system, in a galaxy, in a universe of undefinable size. I am a student of the ideas of many, but work alone in the world of the individuality of my mind. From such a state, I seek and ponder for the answers.

I have thought long and hard enough to know that I know no answers. The history of man is not long enough, the intellect of man is not smart enough, and the data and inspirations are not clear enough to provide answers. The mystery is clear that, we, Man or any organism, do not know what we are? And, more importantly, why we are? The problem is that answers to these questions would help us define meaning and purpose for our existence. The idea to find a meaning and purpose to life is one of the keys to finding happiness and peace with yourself, so it is hard to not feel sort of empty without these answers. Existence is valuable, even without meaning and purpose, or with other less absolute interpretations of meaning and purpose. My problem is I need to come as close as I can to what, how, and why, or I come closer to feeling that life is vanity. This is why I have always searched to find answers.

All Stories by Gordon H. Hisayasu