Syed Abdullah Tariq

  The following is a conversation between me and ChatGPT. It began with a question about how human beings approach life, and ended somewhere I wasn't expecting.

All our knowledge begins with the senses, proceeds then to the understanding, and ends with reason. There is nothing higher than reason. -Immanuel Kant     Kant, one of the most influential philosophers in modern philosophy, tried to take a balanced approach between empiricism and rationalism. The empiricists believed that knowledge comes from experience and the senses, while the rationalists believed that reason is the highest source of knowledge. Kant tries to combine both through this statement. What Kant is basically saying is that first we experience the world through our senses, then our mind organizes and understands those experiences, and finally reason becomes the highest stage through which we reach truth. At first, this sounds like a very complete and convincing structure. But the more we think about it, the more questions starts to surface. The Problem with the Senses Firstly, Kant argues that knowledge starts with the senses. But our senses are not always trustwor...

It has often been contemplated that the deepest emotions are not meant to remain confined. They extend outward in ripples, influencing everything and everyone in ways beyond anticipation. The following words attempt to capture this phenomenon—a reflection on how a singular and focused love can transform the world around it. People shall see and experience the derivative of my love for my Beloved, upon them. They shall understand what they know not through peace, calm, and cool warmth-my uncontainable compassion that will reflect upon them. These are emotions that will render them powerless, and yet will give them strength and confidence within an infinite pool of contemplation, perpetual effort, and awakened consciousness. These are emotions that extend much beyond the physical construct of life, transform the spiritual being, and beautify existence. 

The more you grow and understand, the more you realise that nothing matters as you thought it would. The good physique and toned muscles don't make feel all that confident. The classy dresses and the fine fabrics don't give the comfort you seek for. The beautiful face and the charming personality don't get people to value you. The expensive experiences and extravagances don't add meaning to life nor does it bestow satisfaction that you hoped it would. Being center of attraction and a fan following doesn't bring close people that you find solace with. A big black car and matte black heavy motorcycle are nothing but a toy for the older boys. All toys that people get used to after playing with. The lavish house is nothing but just to provide you comfort enough that you look forward to coming back to it. People? The family that you will grow old to realise that they can't understand you. Friends; everyone will come to you to make you hear them. The people are but se...