Test and prove all things

Plato famously said “only when philosophers become kings can we truly have justice,” and indeed that has become the basis for many Utopias since. Of course, two thousand years later, we are beyond any sort of intellectual elitism. But the idea of holding very high standards of intelligence, and the expectation that all decisions should be made after careful contemplation, is still paramount to a perfect society in my opinion. In other words, society must uphold a contemplative and speculative life as the most admirable quality of humanity. This change is society is best achieved through education.

It is very unfortunate that our society does not hold philosophy to be very important at all, let alone the basis for all society. If a person is lucky, he might be able to squeeze in a philosophy major into some obscure university, but then risk losing all hope for employment. In fact, anyone who spends most of their time in contemplation is usually ridiculed by more popular folks, who tend to think more with their hearts than their heads. Instead, it is these quiet thinkers should be looked up to.

People continue to debate on the importance of topics ranging from the environment to the economy to the social order, but all of that is useless without a basis for reason. Where would climate change be without environmental science? Where would economic policy be without economic science? And where would talk of social justice begin without a basis for ethics or morality? Everything that separates our society from dumb animals is our ability to take the world around us and hold it up to a higher, intellectual standard. We eat to survive, but we just as easily make culinary arts. The noises we make are not just some mating call, but we have the ability to make poetry and literature.

In a similar manner, everything in society can be held up to an ultimate standard of truth and justice, against which absolute right and wrong, truth and false can be discerned. Some call it science, while others call it philosophy. Ultimately, all other laws hang on this. When society recognizes this, and protects that standard for rationality above all else, then Utopia can be achieved. 

The seven liberal arts, with philosophy at the center, from a medieval manuscript

And here is how that can be implemented: first, the scientific community (with other academia) should take certain reforms, spelling out a general standard for scientific thought, and placing philosophy as the most fundamental science. Then there should be a reform of education. Rather than being taught raw information, students should first be taught how to interpret information. Facts taken straight from the internet or television, without first critically analyzed, should be frowned upon. Children need to be taught from a young age that wealth and fame will never make them happy, but truth and justice will.

The renowned author Dr. Seuss once wrote about a fanciful school in Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!. One of the most memorable lines from that comes from one of the teachers: “and most importantly, we taught you how to think”. Perhaps that should be the models for all schools. 

Better, Faster, Stronger

            When we were first asked to think of something that would make the world a better place I automatically thought of the cheesy quote from Miss Congeniality, “world peace.” Though I do think this is extremely important I thought it would be more valuable and interesting to talk about something different: sports. Watching sports games is one of America’s greatest pass times, but what about playing sports? As a kid, I tried almost any sport I possibly could (within the range of my mother’s budget of course). After years of being involved in multiple sports teams, I decided to play both lacrosse and swimming at the collegiate level. Both sports are very different but have taught me valuable lessons that I think would benefit a lot of people.

            So, my proposal is that everyone should be involved in some sort of physical fitness activity. This is asking quite a lot, and will not be easy, but is possible and could better many lives. Like I said earlier, I personally participate in two completely different sports, but enjoy them both very much and have learned beneficiary things from both. Lacrosse is a new and coming team sport (for those of you who don’t know, it’s the one where people run around with sticks and throw the ball into the net). Team sports such as lacrosse teach people many valuable lessons such as how to work with others to reach a common goal, how to motivate others and yourself and push each other past your limits and it gives people the opportunity to feel what it’s like to be a part of something bigger. Swimming is more of an individual sport. Yes, there are relays when people take turns swimming their butts off, but swimming is very much an individual sport. Swimming teaches you lessons that you can’t necessarily learn in a classroom. Above all, swimming and individual sports encourage self-motivation and teach people how to push themselves, believe in themselves, and want to be their best. As my Coach says far too often, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.” Swimming and other individual activities teach you how to motivate yourself.

            In addition to all of the previously mentioned benefits of physical fitness, there is a more obvious very important reason to exercise: to benefit your health. Physical fitness is beneficial to people of all ages. It is proven to make you feel better and makes your body healthier both internally and externally. Okay, I may be slightly addicted to exercise, but please keep in mind I’m not saying you have to do something extreme like run a marathon or an iron man or be a professional athlete. All I’m saying is some sort of physical fitness, whether it be taking a long walk by yourself or a Zumba class with all of your friends, will benefit your life.

            How can we do this? Perhaps the best way is to start with children and work our way to adults. PE is required at most schools now. In addition, kids should be required to join a sports team or fitness club at their school. Having fitness clubs can be a lot less intimidating for young kids and a lot more fun. We need to encourage children that exercise is something fun to do! As kids get older it becomes a bit more difficult because some people simply aren’t interested in playing a sport. Since this may be the case for many, we need to spread awareness of all sorts of activities rather than just the typical football or soccer to spark peoples’ interests. Once kids turn into teenagers and young adults, they start to be more aware of their physical health. We need to spread more awareness of all of the benefits of physical activities, not just with your physical health but socially, emotionally and cognitively too. I know this isn’t something that can change over night, but I truly think people would be happier if they had more physical activity in their daily routine.

Making The World Write/Right

While our world is filled to the brim with issues and struggles, I think the root of all evil is perspective. Every human being is born into their own life and is only familiar with who they are and what they have. We know what we can afford, our possessions, what we stand for, what religion or faith we practice, what we've learned and anything that we have been exposed to through experience or by our family and friends. We might have heard about different times from our parents and older relatives or from a professor or mentor, but we never truly know a life that is different from the one we lead. We could all definitely use a lot of culture.

Today's people seem to be starting to get the right idea with studying abroad and rushing to make and complete a "bucket list", but the world would be a different place if we could all get on the same page. I propose that it is mandatory for everyone to have a different pen pal every five years. When you are born, you will be matched up with another person of either gender who has the same birthday as you, but must be from a different country. Governments will work together to formulate these beginning pairs. At the age of five, you will start to communicate with this matched person back and forth for five years until you both turn ten. You may write only old fashioned letters or meet in person. No text messages, phonecalls or emails. Every connection you make will then be thought out and carefully planned in detail. There will be less confusion by what a text or email tone might be, and the handwritten letters will show true sentiment.

By writing or visiting this person, you will then be exposed to their life, culture, religion, daily experiences, values, etc. You will know as much about this person as they will know about you. It will only be natural to have a vast knowledge of this person's life and the differences between theirs and yours. You will know how another country, culture, family, etc. operates and you will be able to compare and contrast it with your own. At the age of 10, you will be assigned a second person who you will begin exchanging ideas with for the next five years until you are 15. The same goes for when you turn 15 until you are 20, when you are 20 until you are 25 and so on. Every five years, you will get a new partner, but you may choose to still keep in touch with prior ones as you wish.

I really think that taking the time to explain your life and your experiences will really make you appreciate and value all the opportunities that you have that someone else might lack. Problems that seem so far away from us like world hunger and genocide might still now be drying as ink on a letter sitting on your lap. The world will be sent to you in the comfort of your own home. You will have the opportunity to meet so many people and discover so many new places in just one lifetime. Now, it is so easy to think war is okay because it is not happening on our country's land and starvation in a far off place is okay because you are eating chips while reading about it. This simple communication and little change to your life will absolutely change your perspective and outlook on life and will make the world a better place.

Perhaps this communication will only change your mind, but that's okay. Even one small person can make a difference. One person can choose to change the world. This one system change suggestion could be the catalyst to an entirely new world and while the world may never quite be perfect, this can spark the desire to make a difference and make everyone's one life to live equal to each other.