A Philosopher's New Year
Star Expert:
Mark Weldon Whitten is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Lone Star College–Montgomery where he teaches teach Introduction to Philosophy, Ethics, Logic. and Philosophy of Religion.
Philos + Sophia:
As noted contemporary philosopher Ed Miller puts it, the study of philosophy expresses our love of wisdom and leads us to attempting to think rationally and critically about life's most important issues. Such issues include the nature of reality, the nature and limits of knowledge, issues of free will and moral responsibility, ethical theories and issues, political philosophies, and religion and reason.
Concerning New Years Day:
The critical thinker (with perhaps nothing better to do!) might ask the question: "What is the real and significant difference between 11:59 p.m. on 31 December 2003 (and all the moments and days of 2003 preceding that time) and 12:01 a.m. on 01 January 2004 ( and all the moments and days of 2004 that follow that time)?"
"In the nature of things"...
...(a topic that many of that special breed of critical thinker called "philosopher" have traditionally desired to explore) there is, of course, no real and significant difference between the two moments and times. The division and distinction seems arbitrary and empty.
And yet...
...human beings — have always lived by "times and seasons" that divide life
into psychologically manageable, socially useful, and personally meaningful
divisions. Times and seasons called "holidays" become vehicles for novelty,
renewal and transcendence because of the significance conferred upon them
by human beings and human culture and also by the openness to, and expectation of, new experience that they engender in individual and communal living.
So what is the significance..
...of watching "the ball" descend in Time's Square?
The meaning of eating "hoppin-john?" Of singing Auld Lange Syne? Of
engaging in midnight kisses and champagne? Of exploding fireworks?
Of watching bowl games all day? People associate all these activities with
celebration of the New Year — but why and how are they meaningful?
New Years Day:
The New Year, and their associated activities are not things that objective analysis and explanation discover to be meaningful and significant, but
are given meaning and significance by persons. Human beings have a "spiritual" power to create meaningful times, seasons, and activities by personal projection, participation and experience. In turn, human beings are nurtured and molded by the very same times, seasons, and activities.
New Year's Day / the New Year are, and will be, what you and I and we make them to be. And in that making, we will be (re-)making ourselves.
So... have (make it) a Happy New Year!
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