Would Solomon and Neitche Get Along?

Have you read Ecclesiastes recently? My programming class has. There was even a bonus question on the last exam about the content of Ecclesiastes 11. Why have a programming class read Ecclesiastes? To gain wisdom and understanding of the world around us. To look at the programming world in a different light. It seems to be working.

Any rate, Solomon was a bit pessimistic in that book. Every other sentence contains the word "meaningless". Rampant sexual exploration? Meaningless. Planning for tomorrow? Meaningless. Building public works and houses? Meaningless. Chasing wealth? Meaningless. Looking forward to tomorrow? Meaningless. Being good? Meaningless. Being bad? Meaningless. Being wise? Meaningless, but better than being a fool.

Doesn't it sound like Solomon would have fit right in to our 21st century world?

Go to class? Meaningless. Read the newspaper? Meaningless. Watch the news? Depressing. Buy a house? Expensive. Sleep around? Might as well, at least I'll feel good. Run for office? No, I can't make a difference anyway. Vote? No, ditto. He would fit right in with our gloom and doom "God is dead" world.

Or would he?

I really do think that Neitche and Solomon would have gotten along to some extent. They both perceived that this vainglorious existence of ours is just that - vainglorious. There is one BIG difference though.

Neitche's conclusion is that since everything is meaningless, we have no responsibility or duty to mankind or even the universe itself. There is no God, and at best He is disinterested. So, do whatever - as long as you don't invalidate life - because no one owes you and you owe no one.

Solomon concludes that despite the fact that this world is meaningless and the universe and life are unfair, this sad state does not alleviate us from our duties. Primarily our duty to God. "Fear God and keep His commandments for this is the whole duty of man." God is alive, tuned in, and aware. Respecting Him and doing what He wills provides us with the meaning we seek.

Perhaps Neitche did not look far enough.

Is man's existence sufficient to give him meaning? Both Solomon and Neitche say no.

Is this world and its needs sufficient to give man meaning? Both Solomon and Neitche say no.

Is the universe itself sufficient to give man meaning? Both Solomon and Neitche say no.

And that is where Neitche stopped.

His scope was too small. He trusted only in what his eyes could see and his mind could fathom. Perhaps there is something outside this man, world, and universe that is too big for the eyes to see and the mind to fathom - but not too big for the heart to notice.

How big does one have to be to admit that maybe he is not the end all and be all? How confident does a woman have to be to admit that she is not the epitome of evolution? How crazy do you have to believe in a God that we can experience? How crazy do you have to be to believe in an empty and void universe?