What does this mean, "All men by nature desire to know" ?
It simply means that even questions such as this is a great possibility. A robot designed to perform as an 'artificial intelligence' might even learn and know, due to a wonderful program, but one cannot expect such a question out of it. This is the indication of self awareness, seeking to know the self. All men desire, but few take the next small but significant step.
What is the origin of the human desire for justice?
When a monkey survived an attack from a lion, do you think the monkey want to take revenge on the lion? No, the monkey is only glad that it survived. Truth is, wild animals has no concept of justice. That’s because in the wild, it is survival of the fittest.And to begin with, justice isn’t about revenge and retaliation. It’s is about being fair. Meaning that you doing something because you know that that’s what they deserve. You’re not doing it for personal gain or any emotional crap like revenge. If you ask me, most people aren’t just. That’s because most people retaliate because of anger and not because it is fair.If you’ve raised a child before, you’ll know that justice is something that is taught. It’s not something that is innate within us nor is it an emotion. And it is certainly not something that God bestowed upon us. Cause children has no sense of a right or a wrong nor do they have a sense for what is fair. They do what they want and if some cause them to be mad, they don’t retaliate because they understand that it is fair, they retaliate because it makes them feel good.
What is the nature of desire/want?
A desire/want is :Something that feels necessary but it is not something that we can not live without.Something that can not make us sad if we do not give importance to it.Something that is mortal. One day it will cease to exist.Something that is ridiculous.Lord Shiv said in Shiv Purana ‘One way to live without fear or sadness is to keep minimum desires/wants.’ But even when Lord Vishnu came on this earth as Lord Krishna, he also desired yummy Makhan, he also desired Radha’s love. He also desired Mahabharata’s war. Then why cant we?If you are materialistic, you will feel more desires/wants compared to a person who does not give a damn about the world.But however, if we are given this life, we have been given the ability to desire, dream and achieve. So we must not stop wanting a better life.A good life starts with a good desire. When a desire becomes constant with us, it becomes a part of our personality. Who knows, maybe desires come with us till heaven and to all the worlds that we go?
What does it mean by ' The Destructive Nature of Desire' ?
It's not so much that "to desire" something is destructive. Mere desire is natural but it is to the lengths that one would go to acquire what it is that they desire or what they will destroy or give up. Example: Losing your family over the desire of another mate (cheating). Losing your home or going bankrupt by spending everything on items and not paying your bills.
What do you mean by "nature knows best"?
that by your natural instincts you just know whats best for you.... for example. If you have a fever or an illness you instinctively know that rest and water will make you better. It pertains to the certain things we never really had to be told. One other example would be animals instinctively know how to provide for themselves and their young. you instinctively know when you are in danger Another example would relate to the earth. It naturally knows how to repair its self.
When do you exercise freedom, obeying the call of nature or resisting it, even if it means sacrificing your desire?
I'm trying to decide if you are worried that your partner will lose interest if you take a bathroom break or trying to rationalize infidelity as “exercising freedom”.
What is Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem, "Desire" about?
Desire by Samuel Taylor Coleridge Written approx 1830 Where true Love burns Desire is Love`s pure flame; It is the reflex of our earthly frame, That takes its meaning from the nobler part, And but translates the language of the heart. In order to understand Coleridge's poetry, you have to understand the man's philosophy. (Which is basically, choose the higher road, i.e. "takes its meaning from the nobler part.") Check out this site, it has a brief description of STC's philosophy: http://www.publicbookshelf.com/public_ht... Halfway down the page there is a section called "Reflections Respecting Morality" He comments on the various components of "heart". The man read the Bible and tried to base much of his work on how humanity could incorporate it's teachings into our lives. Some of his work rebuffs our attempts and some works comment on it's appropriateness in a diplomatic manner. It is my belief that he feels that Desire is the light of true Love, It is that which we see (light) and feel (gut instinct). It is a human reflex, we can't help it. It is how we are made and is a part of us. ("reflex of our earthly frame") Here comes the 'high road' part. "That takes its meaning from the nobler part". To me it communicates True Love desires what is best for the other and the self. Leave base desires out of the equations, keep the Love True and don't confuse it with lust. Desire is Love's pure flame that "translates the the language of the heart." I feel here that you could almost use "soul" instead of heart, because if you read the philosophy section, you will understand Coleridge had a very low estimation of other poets use of "heart". To me "takes its meaning from the nobler part" is his effort to raise the bar on the meaning or interpretation of "heart". Basically, desire is an innate human temperament, we just need to be more responsible in how we take action using this part of our human nature. Do what is good for all. These are just my reflections and comments. Hope they helped.
Are human desires the root of misery?
I think the wrong desires cause us to lead to misery. It is in the human nature, in our pursuit to fulfillment to focus on the short term fix rather than looking at the long term impact. You take drugs, cigarettes, alcohol, our mind is focused on the short term benefit and not on the long term damage. Same goes for doing harm. People who cause harm focus on the short term gain they will get trough their action and blank on the long term consequence their action has. It people would be more tolerant and focus on the long term, many problems would be less severe. It all starts with self love and self respect, to live in the moment, enjoy life in a positive way to its fullest and find happiness in helping others in the long run.