Tolstoy, Gandhi & Creativity

Leo Tolstoy, a renowned author and quasi philosopher, and Mohandas Gandhi, a notorious cultural and political activist, both expressed their creativity exceptionally well and with conviction. Both found their basis, passion, and motivation in religious convictions. Both relinquished their inherited status and wealth, chose to live frugally, and vigilantly pursued the common good of mankind. They both believed something greater than our physical being is the essence of truth and life, the basis of all progress, and the ultimate source of creative expression. Both men’s aspirations confronted social considerations of their times. Both men made significant contributions to humanity.

Still, both these men perceived their existence through a mirror dimly—as do all humans—and suffered because of their beliefs.

Tolstoy’s and Gandhi’s families also suffered severely—not because of the truth they wisely discerned and espoused, but because their interpretations of this truth was obscured by their biased religious convictions. The evidence of this obscurity is the devastating effect on their families—those closest to them.

Suffering always occurs when conventional beliefs are challenged—clear examples are Galileo and Darwin. The distinction between the interpretations of these men and those of Tolstoy and Gandhi is that the former debunked contemporary beliefs with empirical evidence and recorded it—while the latter recognized truth but espoused an application based upon their biased religious beliefs which resulted in unnecessary suffering.

Let’s learn from history that our current aspirations may be obscured by commonly accepted beliefs—i.e., traditions and conventions with no empirical basis—and can cause unnecessary suffering for those closest to us. Perhaps bias can eventually be removed as a factor in human suffering. This must be our desire of our hearts.

My intent is for this blog to be based in empirical truth. Please point out any possible bias contained in this or previous postings. We must become aware of of our own bias.

Resources

Refer to previous posts for further reference and supporting concepts.
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