Thinking Deep Thoughts Doesn’t Have To Hurt–An Admittedly Off-Topic Post

Last Friday was the 118th birthday of Thorton Wilder, best known for his 1938 Pulitzer-prize winning play “Our Town,” a scene of which is pictured here.  I was discussing this  the other day with my mother, who called to my attention a remark that Wilder once made: “My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.”

Mom said, “It’s hardly a new idea, but it’s a good one.”  “Indeed it is,” I agreed. But I have a peculiar slant on this: For some people, the process of inquiring “why and whither” actually is their ice cream.

I’m reminded of St. Augustine and how I laughed out loud when I came upon an essay he wrote which I paraphrase here:

People often ask what God was doing when mankind began to demonstrate its inquisitive mind, and expressed curiosity about the nature of time, space, the immortality of the soul, and so forth. Some people say that He was building hells for people who thought too much. But I don’t believe this….”

I’m with you all the way here, Augustine. The notion that a loving God is watching over me and has a plan for me, but is quite prepared to send me to an eternity of torture in hell if I, a rational agent and a decent member of humankind, use my mind in a certain way, doesn’t make too much sense to me either.

I’m also reminded of my kids, both of whom I adore, but neither of whom have shown even the slightest interest in engaging with me on philosophic issues. I’ve asked them on occasion, “What’s the downside of thinking about issues like these? Do they make your brain hurt?”