Asking Questions

In a previous post, we talked about the Logos and the lexis. We showed how the former is the substance of a thing, while the latter refers to accidental predications thereof. We are going to relate the Logos and the lexis to being and seeming in this post, and show how misinterpretations can be made based on a misreading of the latter for the former. The Logos, also known as rational order, is the being of a thing. It is what a thing is, its quiddity or essence, or nature. The lexes of a thing on the other hand refer to the physically observable characteristics of a thing, which change from time to time, and from observer to observer. These physical characteristics make a thing seem to be one way, whereas it really is another way. For example, a structure may appear to be bigger when closer to the range of a person's vision, and smaller when farther away from it. Also, things like color or texture or sound and so forth change depending on the acuity of the senses of the person who is experiencing these physical qualities.

There is therefore a difference between being and seeming, between what a thing actually is and what it potentially is, or is not. There is a difference between what we know for sure, and what we appear to know, or think we know. There is a difference between what appears to be and what truly is. All this is true in interpersonal relationships. People who tend to be more sensitive than others, like me for example, have vigorous emotional antennae, and interpret situations they encounter on personal bases. Does this happen because of me? Did they say or do that because of me? Remember the classic scene in The Pursuit of Happyness (sic). The embattled Chris Gardner is tucking his young son into bed at a shelter, and the boy asks his dad, "Did mom leave because of me?" Touching scene indeed.

The gulf between positive ignorance and true knowledge is bridged by philosophy which, in many respects is questioning. What is? Why is? Philosophy wants to know, and not just proximate causes, but ultimate ones. Philosophy has in this regard been called scientia rerum per ultimas causas (science of things through their ultimate causes). In other words, where science seems to be interested in proximate and efficient causes, philosophy is interested in original and final causes. Philosophy has been called as well the Queen of the sciences. It embraces physics, but also mathematics and metaphysics. It digs deep into the essence or form of being and advances a theodicy that attempts to understand even God through thought. Indeed, philosophical questions can be asked about anything.

Questions. An Ibo proverb goes thus: "The one who asks questions never misses his way." Just think of how many confusions could have been allayed if people had simply asked questions. Just think how many misunderstandings might have been avoided had people simply sought to know the truth. A person sees something. It seems or appears to be a certain way, but it really isn't. The person does not ask, does not question, does not philosophize but goes ahead and acts based on what seems. The result proves unfortunate. The person is overcome by regret. Take the case in the Episode of Fawlty Towers called The Wedding Party. Mr Fawlty, played by John Cleese, sees Polly coming out of a guest room hastily redressing herself. He assumes she has been having sex with the male guest, when actually she has been trying on a new dress that the fiance of the male guest had designed for her. Mr Fawlty does not investigate; does not ask questions, but attempts to fire Polly, but is prevented in the nick of time from doing so by his knowing wife. In our own lives as well, there are many times we have seen things to be one way when they were actually another way altogether.

Questions. In order to differentiate between what is and what seems, we have to question. We have to philosophize. We have to think and reflect. We have to contemplate. We cannot jump to conclusions in the face of scanty evidence. We cannot mistake appearances for reality. Our decisions are more ethical and happier when we act out of true understanding, epistemological realism, rather than opinion. We should not be too proud to ask; too hasty to take a second look; we should always endeavor to research and analyze. In such a fashion, we will make better choices, and avoid many mistakes, and save ourselves the emotional hurt that comes from acting rashly. We will not be like the Moor that killed his wife on a suspicion, or a star-crossed lover that ends his own life because he thinks his beloved is dead. We will rather be prudent, shrewd and patient with life, perennially peeling back the layers of seeming to reveal the kernel of being.