What is wisdom? But first, what are the
conditions that render it desirable, if not necessary, and
what is its essential purpose?

Life is a desire to live, and better still a desire to live
happily. As we strive to satisfy this desire, we encounter
obstacles that complicate or frustrate our efforts. This
complication or frustration amounts to suffering because it
stands in the way of satisfaction.

Wisdom is designed to help us cope with this suffering. It
is an adaptive product of reason in the face of tough
circumstances. Thanks to it, happiness is conceivable and
achievable in spite of everything. It is therefore the
supreme good.

Actually, religion is a good that many rank equally high,
since it serves the same purpose as wisdom, if differently.
The difference lies in the way religion and wisdom portray
suffering and define the meaning of life.

>From the perspective of religion, suffering betrays a state
of worldly imperfection that is in contradiction with the
human desire for perfect happiness. Consequently, life here
below - where humans are doomed to suffer - is absurd in
itself. Or rather, life is meaningful strictly in terms of
means to a heavenly end in the great beyond: A life of
virtue prepares the way for an afterlife of bliss. The
religious believe this in accordance with the teachings of
an inspired spiritual leader, who claims to know the
transcendental nature of the hereafter.

While personally I cast a skeptical eye on these teachings,
I keep my mind open. They are highly suspicious, but the
transcendental nature of their object puts them beyond the
reach of any discredit based on conclusive evidence.

Anyway, as I see it, wisdom is independent of religion,
though it can complement the latter. According to it, life
in itself has meaning, despite its imperfection that people
can learn to accept. Better still, they can learn to value
this imperfection as they realize that perfection, contrary
to popular belief, is not infinitely desirable.

Indeed, perfect happiness leaves something to be desired. By
definition, it excludes suffering and hence all forms of
complication or frustration. It supposes that circumstances
are absolutely favorable - that is, not tough in any way.
Therefore, no effort is necessary while every dream is
possible. At first glance, this sounds like the most
wonderful situation imaginable, and yet taking another look
at it will dispel this illusion.

What strange whim, in the history of humankind, has
compelled people from every walk of life to leave their cozy
home and embark on risky ventures? Perhaps this whim is not
so strange after all. A multitude of conquests have been
made for the sheer joy of conquering against great odds. The
operative word is pride, accompanied by excitement. To
conquest-minded people the infinite ease of heaven entails
infinite boredom. To them life - together with the struggle
that is integral to it - is the very thing that perfect
happiness leaves to be desired. It is an opportunity to
prove courageous and victorious, though it is also a risk of
failing painfully.

Happiness is about grasping this opportunity with courage
and gaining a victory over the obstacles that stand between
us and success in all the activities that most matter to us.
This victory is often strenuous and always limited,
precarious, and transitory, and we are bound to lose the
battle in the end; but that makes the victory all the more
precious and worthy of savoring.

When trying to define the activities in which we most care
to succeed, we are forced to study our nature to know our
purpose. Our growing wise depends on this study and this
knowledge, leading to this definition. It begins with an
awareness of our animal will to survive, as survival is the
foundation on which life, in the truly human sense, is
built. The awareness of life in this sense follows. It takes
into account both our humanity and our individuality, as
members of society with particular tastes and abilities to
which a wide range of activities are suited.

The clearer we are about our purpose, the more we can live
our lives with determination and passion, and so with a
greater chance of succeeding and achieving happiness. The
reverse is equally true. It therefore stands to reason that
in striving after wisdom we lay the groundwork for success
and happiness.

Author bylines: Laurent Grenier's writing career spans over
twenty years. During this time he has broadened and deepened
his worldview, by dint of much reflection and study, and in
the end has crafted A REASON FOR LIVING, his best work to
date.

Official web site: http://laurentgrenier.com/ARFL.html