Intelligible Life, the Fundamental Domain
Intelligible Life, the Fundamental Domain
The Definition of Intelligible Life
The Role of Wisdom in an intelligible Life
The Feasibility of an intelligible Life
A Closer Look at the Aspects of Intelligible Life
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Intelligible Life, the Fundamental Domain
Human life can be divided into two kinds, purely natural life and intelligible life. In the former, which is a somewhat animal-like life, people are engaged in a battle for survival. Their sole aim is to fulfill their natural desires, and since their life is totally engulfed by worldly needs, the positive aspects of humanity are entirely forgotten. Man’s infatuation with purely natural ways of life has greatly influenced the history of mankind. Let us take a look at some of its effects:
1-Stupefaction replacing consciousness
2-The destruction of positive forms of love
3-Conflicts between power and righteousness
4-Self-bestrangedness
5-Selfishness and stubbornness
6-Misjudging the human character
7-Human relationships based on personal benefit
8-Various philosophizations tending to vouch for human corruptions
9-Considering oneself as the goal and others as one’s means to achieve it
10- Ruining the environment
11- Man’s conflict with his own self
12- The destruction of man’s highest emotions and unity
13- The waning of human affection and sympathy
14- Sacrificing the goal for its means
15- Aimless deconstructing and weakening original cultures
16- Losing one’s aim in life and falling into nihilism
17- Uncertainty and anxiety about one’s future
18- Self-alienation
19- The aimlessness and uselessness of the arts
20- Increasing suicide
21- Social maladjustment
22- Pitiful incompetence in explaining absolutes and relativities
The Definition of Intelligible Life
A conscious life which guides the compulsory and pseudo-compulsory forces and activities of man’s natural life in the path toward evolutionary goals by means of more freedom of choice; thus, the human character is gradually developed and guided toward the highest end of life – playing a role in the whole harmony of the universe dependant upon divine greatness.
Let us take a closer look at some of the most important aspects of this definition:
●A 'Conscious Life': Living an intelligible life, man is quite conscious of his life. His character is independent, and everything he does arises from his original personality, not imitating of others. In an intelligible life, man is totally aware of the principles and values of life, and follows them.
●'Guiding the compulsory and pseudo-compulsory forces and activities of man’s natural life toward evolutionary goals by means of more freedom of choice': moving on the path of intelligible life, man is well aware of the fatalistic, compulsory causes and factors surrounding him, and tries to make the most of his freedom. For instance, if he wins a better position, he does not allow the factors around him that may lead to pride or arrogance make him fall astray from his progress toward perfection and commitment to great human values. In an intelligible life, man achieves the highest level of free will, and the more he makes use of his freedom in his will, the greater his intelligible life will be.
We should not neglect the critical role of environmental factors and social leaders in making intelligible life possible. In unsuitable social conditions, freedom of will – and subsequently intelligible life – will have no chance to flourish. Therefore, leaders of societies should encourage proper human virtues and values.
●'Towards evolutionary goals': In an intelligible life, all of man’s actions, words, even his mental activities aim for perfection. He never feels that he has finally become perfect; he is constantly trying to raise himself to greater levels of perfection.
●'Gradually developing the human character'. All of man’s positive potentials and talents flourish in an intelligible life, and he finds a life of happiness and prosperity. His naive, childish feelings fade away, and his petty interests are replaced by greater, more valuable ones. In an intelligible life, the human character uses internal and external realities correctly, for every aspect of his life is undergoing evolutionary metamorphosis.
●'Being guided towards the highest end of life': Man cannot achieve the highest aims of life by drowning in the compulsory and pseudo-compulsory tendencies of his natural self. If he wants to accomplish the greatest ends in life, his actions must be logical and conscientious, and he should be determined enough to make use of the mental activities needed to interpret the highest aims of life.
