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Metaphysically Fit
Posted on January 01, 2012
David Brooks of the New York Times has been writing occasional op-ed columns that he calls “Life Reports” — his summation of essays from hundreds of older people who wrote about their lives, and about what they’d done poorly and well.
An observation in his November 29 column struck me: ”Older people get better at the art of living. By their 60s many contributors found their zone. Metaphysics is dead; very few of the writers hewed to a specific theology or had any definite conception of a divine order, though vague but uplifting spiritual experiences pepper their reflections.”
I am of course at the far end of the scale. I have spent my life thinking a whole lot more about metaphysics than most people. But for what it’s worth Brooks’ observation rings perfectly true with me personally. I have pretty much given up the hope of understanding any “divine order.” Olam ke-minhago noheg, the world goes along in its way. My orientation in my 60s is more toward what evolutionary biologists tell us than whatever it is that theologians and metaphysicians are offering.
In our adult education course called “Articles of Faith,” we have been spending several weeks discussing God. It sounds jejune to even write this, but God is the subject upon which all of Jewish religion is based. If people are finding that they can’t do much Jewishly with Him, what can we do without Him?
When Brooks mentions “vague but uplifting spiritual experiences,” we may infer from his tone that he isn’t impressed. I’m with him. What about each of us? Is metaphysics dead for you? If you were reflecting on your life, would you include a specific conception of the divine order? And what about Brooks’ tantalizing topic sentence — as we age are we getting better at the art of living because metaphysics is dead for us or in spite of that fact?
Whatever 2012 brings us, I hope we meet the new year with a determination to think about the flow of time and the passing years of our lives. You well know that a Jew looks at the new year (I mean, Rosh Hashanah) with introspection and purpose. May we greet the civil new year with a similar sense of seriousness.
Happy 2012, and if you wish to engage me with some of these questions, please call me at the synagogue office (516) 541-0740.
