On the Concept of Development: Contextualism, relative time, and the role of dialectics

Abstract

Let us begin this commentary with a story. There once lived a deeply religious and philosophical man named Qoheleth who decided to reflect on one of the ultimate questions confronting humanity: what is the meaning of life? Initially, Qoheleth despaired. He realized that one generation arises on the scene, plays out its part, and dies, only to be replaced by another generation. Only the world, it seemed, stayed forever. He found no comfort in the thought that death was the end. No, there had to be something else, some reason for existence that transcended death. A live dog did not have to be better off than a dead lion. All memory of people did not have to be lost. So, one by one Qoheleth considered potential reasons for or meanings of life. He rejected the hypotheses of money, power, and possessions as being empty — those who had them still lacked something essential. Finally, he decided that love was the only meaning that fit; love is the reason for living. Love gives life purpose. And the ultimate love — universal, noncontingent love — is the ultimate goal of life.