The Pen May Waltz
February 8, 2006
GABRIEL GROSS
Remember the story of the elephant and five men? Five blind men approach an elephant, one at the trunk, one at the feet, one at the tail, one at the ears, and one at the belly. Each blind men describes to the others his own representation of what he felt—the man at the trunk describes the entity as a hose, another believes that the ears are a sail, the third speaks of tree trunk features, the next describes the tail as a rope, and finally, the last man said the belly was a large boulder—none of them are exactly wrong in their descriptions. Yet none of them are correct in their conclusions, in knowing the entire animal. Each person perceives a different reality, and has a different explanation of our metaphysical state. And whether we agree with these alternate perceptions of reality or not, we must consider them. Because
without these beliefs, we lose the human spirit. Now, I cannot simply make a claim that the human spirit is lost in ignorance. But the story of the blind men and the elephant presents a metaphor for how we are all born blind into this world, conditioned through family, through our settings, and through life experiences in what we believe and do not believe. Whether we choose to accept or reject presented philosophies and theologies is a matter of human will; our will being the single most powerful deterrent in every situation. And yet, there is no way for a person to reject everything imparted to them. Likewise, it is impossible to avoid choosing, because in doing so you have already made that choice. Influence is just as powerful as will because reaction and choice are inevitable. Every choice you make, by action or
inaction– whether you should go to the movies before dinner or after dinner, if you should acknowledge the commercial asking for help for children overseas, or if you should marry the person you have been in a relationship with for the last four years—is heavily affected by all the influences of our lives. If we choose not to consider the views of others that may seem ridiculous to us, then we are setting ourselves on a pedestal of superiority. Some my call this liberal thinking, but it really falls in the category of consideration and respect. Culturally speaking, North Americans– most notably in the youth– lean towards seeing ourselves as invincible, whereas European and Middle Eastern countries often view Americans as high-handed, rude bullies. And plenty of other nations view other nations disproportionately
as said example does. I challenge Sense and Mars’ Hill readers to appreciate and understand the differences of each person you come in contact with, and especially those that you disagree with—in art, in musical preference, in political debate, in philosophical argument, in theological and spiritual contention. It’s a wonderful thing to have an intelligent debate with a person who vehemently disagrees with you, yet still each walk away sympathetic to their viewpoints. When this happens, it could be said that we have circled to the other side of the elephant and felt what the other described.
Now you go...
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