Musings, needs and wants…

Courtesy of my childhood in India I usually have a good immunity. I don’t typically suffer from travellers worries and neither do I have to constantly moderate my dietary habits. But right now, I reckon due a combination of factors, I am down with an infection of quite severe nature unseen in a very long time. It is pan respiratory infection affecting the sinuses, pharynx, larynx and the lungs. The fever and the weakness are debilitating. The head feels pregnant with twins. Though I Had no fancy ideas of going out, all I wanted was a better presentation when I meet people. And perhaps more importantly my concentration, so that, if I did not venture out , I could use my time studying or working in the room.

The room that I am spending most of time reminded me of Wittgenstein. Did you know Wittgenstein lived in a single room for most of his life? It was a fairly spacious room with low windows and a bed, a desk, a wash basin in the far corner and a stand with a tea pot . There were two – or perhaps even more additional chairs to receive visitors. Wittgenstein worked mostly using the desk and preserved his works in shoe boxes that were stacked one above another.

As I am lying in the bed, weak and with an inflamed throat, gazing at the walls of this room, I can’t help but agree with Wittgenstein – really that is all a man needs. And when I say, man, I exclude the child and the woman, who both , in my view, fall beyond the basic need.

Of course Wittgenstein’s room is more than fifty years back. I am tempted to add a computer with an Internet connection, but frankly am not sure yet. While I think of the future, it seems quite basic, while I think of the past I feel it is a luxury. So I am still undecided about that.

Then I’ll have all my time to devote of three things – 1. First of course is nature of the things in the universe and since all metaphysics is subject to the knowledge ( epistemology ) of that point in time, contemporary up-to-date knowledge is vital. Hence the argument for the laptop and the access to Internet. Should we have no laptop and access, then I would prefer contact with a friend, a well adjusted person, with a day time job and who is socially mobile across classes without effort, an astute observer and reporter without a great compulsion to change the observed. Last but not the least, the said person should have no sexual desire towards to me. Though I would prefer to receive the person from time to time, I would not encourage it too often , just to emphasise the meetings value. I would be very happy with a long meeting once a fortnight and regular contact by means of letters.

Then I’ll have the space – to the second question – the old Socratic one – how best a man can choose to lead his life ? Whilst it is an question of conduct and therefore ethics, it is perhaps less absolute in relation to the first question.

Finally, since I have a bound ego as identity It would be impossible to eliminate all forms of desire. So I will channelise all my fragmented wants into the third thing – a desire that has two components A. How best can I reach a state ( for the lack of better word ) where I do not have a preceding influence to dictate my choices and a consequent impact upon others? And B. What is the means or practice to attain a peaceful, calm death?

Anything more than this for a being endowed with human consciousness is surplus.