Monday, June 28, 2010

178 / To What End?


Read this in the original at www.gapatton.net


"Teleology" is the branch of philosophy that considers the meaning or purpose of life.The concept might best be summed up in a single phrase: "To What End?"

I particularly like that construction since it employs the word "end," which has a double meaning: "end" as conclusion, and "end" as purpose or objective.

Having been baptized and confirmed as an Episcopalian, I recited each Sunday the following prayer:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

No "conclusion," I read that as saying. Certainly one of the comforts of Christianity.

More recently (well, certainly after I read Sartre, in college), I see that this could mean no "purpose," as well.




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