The Ontological War

A long time ago, when I was either 19 or 20, a friend and I were discussing life and the way people work. After we were done talking, I thought he was wrong in about half of the things he said, and I knew the reason for this was that he had not been thinking about ontological questions, and I had.

That conversation sticks in my mind because it was the last time I had a conversation on what were essentially ontological subjects that seemed even halfway interesting. Since then, there hasn’t been a single time when I have had a talk with someone that seriously discussed ontological emotions and ideas.

Part of the reason for this may be my fault. I can tell within a few minutes of talking with people if they are at all sensitive to ontological emotions and ideas, and since most people aren’t I avoid talking about ontological ideas with them. It is discouraging and disappointing for someone to say, “I know exactly what you mean,” and then the person makes a point that isn’t even close to being right ontologically.

I don’t mention all of this to be bragging or to make others feel defensive. Instead, I do it to show the astonishing lack of ontological understanding by most people. We should all be very interested in what is deep within us, since probably nothing has a greater influence on who we are and the lives we live. But most people avoid that area—with all its wealth and answers—like the plague.