So like a kid with a new toy I've been enjoying reading, thinking through, and writing about American pragmatism.
Here's a gem I've been pondering: the most important thing about life is growth. This simple, obvious—we might say pragmatic—idea came from John Dewey who in Democracy and Education defined growth as: “the enhancement of living experience through the exercise of critical thought and reflective action.” Living experience covers every aspect of life from education to relationship building, from work life to leisure and hobbies, from spirituality to bodily health. It's all about growth.
Here's three reflections on growth:
1. Growth is its own telos. This nods back to Aristotle who was the great philosopher of teleology. Everything has its own natural telos. Acorns have the telos of oak trees. Human being has the telos of eudaimonia —well being. The telos is the goal toward which anything moves. For Aristotle this amounted to "potential and actual." The acorn had the potential to actually become an oak tree. The emphasis is on the oak tree not the acorn. In other words, the end result is the most important thing. If this is so, then immaturity is a lack; immaturity suggests incompleteness. Nobody want to be immature. "You're so immature!" Is never a compliment.
Dewey, however, looks at this differently. Growth is its own telos. Growth itself is the goal, even if growth never reaches maturity. Immaturity means possibility and plasticity. The future is open. That's quite an enticing idea. It's not unlike the "uncarved block" of philosophical Daoism. The Daodejing 28 says: “The world is formed from the void, like utensils from a block of wood. The Master knows the utensils, yet keeps to the block: thus she can use all things.” (Mitchell version) The uncarved block is full of potentiality; it can be carved into any shape. For Dewey it is the process of growth and change that is important.
To change the metaphor it's all about the journey not the destination. If all we think about is getting to the end we miss life as life happens. Growth happens from birth onward and growth at each point is its own end. For Dewey, then, growth is an end in itself.
2. For Dewey, growth is to learn from experience, and our innate plasticity gives us the ability to do so. More particularly, he means that growth is to think critically about experience and to base our actions on that critical reflection. To put is differently, growth is enhanced by good habits. And that counts for all aspects of life. Do you want to grow as a piano player? Learn good habits of practice and study and daily playing. Do you want to grow as a student? Learn the good habits of study, reading, reflecting, note-taking, and writing. Do you want to grow spiritually? Learn the good habits of prayer, meditation, reflection and ritual. Do you want to grow in your relationships? Learn the good habits of care and kindness and seeking the good of the other above yourself.
3. Growth in all these areas is gradual and can't be rushed. When I began serious tai chi a dozen years ago I looked at the beautiful form of the the tai chi masters. I wanted to be able to move with fluidity and grace as I saw them move. Impatiently, I saw that as the goal and wanted to reach it quickly. Over time I learned three things. First, that you cannot rush tai chi. Growth requires time and cannot be forced. Second, the goal was not the fluidity of the masters. The goal was growth in this moment, this practice, this movement. Third, growth requires building good habits.
Grow, build good habits, take your time, and enjoy today.
+Ab. Andy