count on doubt

We come at last today to the end of our reading, in A&S, of Jennifer Hecht's Doubt. What an impressive assemblage of insight and inspiration for all of us who don't line up on matters "spiritual" with 90+ % of our countrymen, but who nonetheless find life challenging but meaningful and well worth living.

It is fitting that she brings Tom Jefferson back, at the end, to remind us: "Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve the homage of reason than of blindfolded fear."


And:

Accept that we are animals, but ones with special problems, and that the world is natural, but natural is just an idea that we animals have in our heads. Devote yourself to wisdom, self-knowledge, friends, family, and give some attention to community, money, politics, and pleasure. Know that none of it brings happiness all that consistently. It's best to stay agile, to keep an open mind... the one thing you can really count on is doubt. Expect change. Accept death. Enjoy life. In that order. Repeat...