Tuesday, August 16, 2005

The great mind and theorist of science, Albert Einstein, one day stumbled across one of his greatest discoveries when he penned the quote, "The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility."

One of the particular reasons I chose to pursue the studies of Psychology and Sociology when entering college was my interest in further exploring the why. In high school, I followed the college preparation classes that expounded on the sciences - the historical formations of events, the chemical make-ups, the origins, formulations and calculations. The discussion around and the success of the educational material seemed to primarily center on knowing the how - how world events and social systems affect one another, how chemicals form and interact with one another, etc. The how throughout those years seemed easy to me, but it was always the why that challenged and excited me. And it was the why that has drawn me down this particular path of my life.

We know the basic principle behind how a sunset chemically occurs. But why does a sunset occur? What motivates the colors to dance and why does the world stop to view such a spectacular sight?

We know the biological phenomena behind the change of seasons. But why do they transition into one another? What motivates the colors of autumn to give way to the shades of winter?

The ability to truly understanding a phenomenon is not only being able to grasp the how but also the why. The motivation behind the reaction or action is just as paramount as the reaction or action itself. In the case of this physical world, the overwhelming majority of the whys are solely those of the Grand Designer. Why does human life occur as it does? Why is the universe expanding as it is? Why do clouds form and dissipate? For each why, there exists another why... and ultimately, the final why remains in the hands and spirit of the Grand Designer. Why does Life occur, exist and continue? Because the Grand Designer wills it... and all is well.

Perhaps this is what Mr. Einstein was referring to when he spoke of the eternal mystery of the comprehensibility of the world. To fully comprehend its essence, function and purpose must be discovered... and this is why the world, our Life, Life in general remains the eternal mystery... and this is why it remains magical beyond comprehension.