I was listening to BBC news on KQED tonight, and had a chance to hear the author Rick Warren speak about his new book, “The Purpose Driven Life”, claiming to use Christian philosophy to change your life in 40 days. The author talked about the three questions that plague us when we are quiet and have time to think: why am I here (existence), what is my purpose, and what is my fate? He claimed that you can understand the answers to these questions in one of two ways. Much like if you discovered some new and intricate device, the only ways to understand it are to (1) talk to its creator or (2) read the owner’s manual.
His conclusion was that the only way then was to learn from the creator, presumeably by some kind of dialog (I guess there’s no manual). However, I think that he missed a crucial *third* way: dissect the device and understand its pieces, its construction, and the laws that govern it. Ultimately, by a personal investigation driven by your curiosity, you’ll come to a much clearer understand of at least the purpose of the device, if not its origin and perhaps its fate.
So to you, Mr. Warren, I say this: your passive philosophy will get people nowhere. Rather, teach people to empower themselves by taking command of their own human capacity for curiosity and creativity, and by doing so teach them to find greatness in themselves.
I hope the opinions expressed in your BBC are not indicative of the best-selling philosophy you peddle in your book.
