Let's face it: we all have to confront the fact that one day, our time will run out. It's a scary thought, but it's a reality that drives many of our life choices, especially when it comes to our careers. This week, we're exploring the idea of finding purpose and impact in our work, and how it's connected to our fear of mortality.
The Quest for Immortality
The American anthropologist Ernest Becker, in his Pulitzer Prize-winning book "The Denial of Death," argues that our fear of death and eventual oblivion is what drives us to seek immortality, often through our work and legacy. In pre-modern times, religion offered literal immortality through the promise of an eternal soul and a happy afterlife.
But as society evolved, so did our concepts of immortality. The Industrial Revolution and globalization brought about a new idea: achieving social progress "at scale." Utilitarian philosophers proposed that our actions are good if they create the greatest happiness for the greatest number. This gave rise to the notion that we could use our careers to leave a lasting, positive impact, thus achieving a sense of immortality by being part of a grand project.
The Pressure of Superlative Lives
On one hand, this promise is comforting - the idea that we can participate in something great and eternal. But it also creates immense pressure. There's an expectation that our lives must be maximally heroic, or else they're meaningless.
However, not everyone subscribes to this view. Enter Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, a French nun who lived a short life but developed a unique approach to goodness. She called it her "Little Way."
Saint Thérèse's Little Way
Saint Thérèse believed in going deep rather than wide. Instead of trying to reach a large audience, she focused on infusing every action, glance, and word with pure love. When faced with annoying interruptions or exasperating noises, she worked hard to conquer her irritability, sweating in the process. She made sacrifices with love, believing that through this, she could achieve holiness and eternal life.
She compared people to flowers, suggesting that while some want to be showy roses or lilies, she was content to be a small flower at Jesus' feet. Her theology of the Little Way became famous after her death, and she became one of the most popular saints in Catholic history.
Finding Balance
Both the utilitarian perspective and Saint Thérèse's approach are extreme. One says we must do the most good, while the other suggests focusing solely on a few people in our immediate circle. In today's world, we have the privilege of considering both scale and other dimensions of value.
When thinking about your career, it's important to consider the full picture. You don't have to obsess over finding a job that does "the most good." Doing "more good" is a worthy goal, but it's also crucial to consider other aspects of life, like art, relationships, and your own well-being.
Ultimately, finding a career that balances doing substantial good, enjoying life's riches, maintaining sustainability, and aligning with your values is key.
A Different Perspective
What if we viewed life as a precious gift, temporary yet inherently valuable? Like a box of candy, the point isn't to make it last forever, but to appreciate and savor it, and share the joy with others.
When we embrace this view, we don't need to strive for something grand or extraordinary. Life itself is extraordinary, and living well means relishing all the goods it offers, and sharing them with others out of gratitude, not fear of worthlessness.
Have a question?
If you have a moral dilemma you'd like to explore, submit your question anonymously via the provided form.
Bonus Reads:
- Experiential Relativity: Were Emotions Different in the Past?
- Choice as a Proxy for Freedom
- Claude's "Soul Doc": Unveiling an AI's Personality
