Experience - Intellectual

When we are young, we are not involved in the kind of financial affairs that make us indebted to others, and we do not need to work for others to make a living. During this time our lives are truly our “own”, but a necessary part of growing up is knowing our role in life, and not naively assuming the world revolves around us.

We must learn to live in a world with other people, and cannot retreat into the childish view that others are characters in our personal story. Our actions can deeply hurt those around us, and coming to terms with this and working to prevent it is the “experience” of adulthood.

It is common for young children to imagine themselves as the main character in a story. When we imagine ourselves as the main characters in a story, those around us become “clowns” (characters that exist solely for our amusement) and “foils” (those who have character traits that are the opposites of ourselves) to us.

It is tautological to say that “your actions have consequences”. We do not fully come to terms with the truth of this claim until we actually hurt someone ourselves and feel the regret that follows.

In childhood, we could “rebel” and behave badly, though these actions have no real “consequences” – at worst we are punished by our parents.

In adulthood, we lose our ability to rebel with impunity but gain respect for the impact our actions have on others. We shouldn’t lament that we are now bound by “discretion”; it is the only way we can ever fully appreciate the joy we had in the “years passed by” (childhood).

Aristotle viewed virtue as a “habit” one that must be practiced and educated over time. You are not born with or can learn perfect moral knowledge immediately.

The development of conscience and the understanding of our duty to others arises from the mistakes of past experience.

The young child’s view of life, though amusing and innocent is shallow and short-sighted. They will not understand how enjoyable this moment of life is until it’s gone.