We need drink, food, sleep and perhaps intimacy and sex, to exist comfortably. So do many animals. A kind of basic set of needs common to many complex beings. The common herd, category Gamma.
Maybe some animal species also desire play, exploration and novelty. Let’s label species with such added urges as belonging to category Beta, a sub-set within the larger Gamma. And within category Beta is a further subset, Theta, consisting of species that may be interested in seeking meaning in, and understanding of, their lives, existence, mortality and such things.
So we have the following categories:
Theta, which contains species that seek meaning in, and understanding of, our existence – in addition to wanting drink, food, sleep, and intimate relating and maybe play and novelty.
Beta, in which are species that seek play, exploration and novelty in addition to drink, food, sleep, sex and relating but are not too concerned about the meaning of their lives and existence.
Gammas – content with drink, food, sleep and perhaps sex being readily available or obtainable.
The classes may be seen as reflecting potential states of existence and experience for individuals within a species too. We may guess that homo sapiens is the only species in the class Theta. I don’t know how to verify whether this guess is correct or merely a reflection of personal or species pomposity. The potential to experience or exercise these different states of being may be present to varying degrees among other species and between individuals of the same species. I am not sure what proportion of us homo sapiens desires to live a life other than only as a Gamma creature. And of course we can exercise these potentials facultatively.
Within our species, the proportions migrating from Gamma to Beta and Theta spheres is difficult to discern. In my own life, the proportion of time I spend exercising or experiencing Beta and Theta states are hard to work out. But it may be a good idea to do so. Time contemplating what I’d consider a fair balance will also count as Theta time. The question of whether I have got good mix can only then be addressed.
Are these questions worthy of attention, or are they only for the birds?
