Intelligent behavior is sometimes defined as the behavior that is adaptable variable during the span of lifetime of an individual and has three fundamental characteristics;
- The capacity to react in an unusual way towards the stimulus-situation.
- The ability to remember learned lessons.
- Having the capacity for generalization.
The individual can only develop itself by laying the emphasis by the other, out of a reference to a transcendent perspective[1]. People must be reminded on their irrefutable, unique signification of their temporal concrete existence. Humans grow by aiming at a big goal. Following Frankl [2] the meaning of life can be discovered by three ways;
- by making a successful act; the value of creativity.
- by experiencing a value (nature, art); wow the capacity to absorb something from the world – beauty, truth, and to let it into ourselves. The value of experience
- by approaching the reality were we exist and to have compassion with the suffering. The value of attitude.
The actual generation must be freed of the obligation to enjoy and to rediscover desire. Desire is the foundation of all culture. When you cannot put a limit upon your desires; you not only put at risk your health but also your personal identity.
A meaningful spiritual life encourages a detachment of the immediate social environment, which enforces thinking and leads to a more conscientious reaction upon reality as a whole. Learning, thinking, innovation and the ability to stay in touch with your inner-self are all conditions that are facilitated by being alone. So is the creative personality constantly occupied by self-discovery, giving new significance and shape to the Universe through what he creates.
We all have only been allotted a definite amount of time. A person, who dares to waste one hour of time, has not discovered the value of life (Charles Darwin). One could argue that we should not only reduce the amount of time we’re wasting, but also keeping track of the volume of additional value we are generating in a given lifetime.
And in the end, it’s not the amount of years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years (Abraham Lincoln).
[1] E. Levinas, ” Humanisme de l’autre homme”, Fata Morgana, 1972; LGF, 1987
[2] Victor Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning, Beacon Press, 2006, ISBN 978-0-8070-1426-4
Shaharee Vyaas 