(Originally written August 10, 2007 in Notebook 17)
The Chief End of Man
What do you want? What do I want? What does any person want? In other words, what is the chief end of man? So many have posed that question and answered with some maxim that states: the chief end of man is happiness. Then they will spend three or four hundred pages defining the term happiness.
But if happiness is truly the chief end of man then it is not disconcerting to see so few of us truly happy? Either happiness is a goal beyond our means and we have not evolved enough or its just so difficult that only a few are so predisposed to achieving it. The latter an outdated and repugnant thought while the former will never be admitted by any naturalist. (Although I could see it being used as an argument against a benevolent God, but they would have to admit an evil God).
Why are we so convinced that happiness is the chief end of man? Let's face it, the chief end of man is not happiness. If it were then more people would obtain it. So many people work hard for it and never receive it. (Those who are too lazy to strive for it are useless to consider here).
I think we are faced with two options as the chief end of man. The first option would be a totally naturalistic option. This would stat that man has no chief end or secondary end or any end at all. If we live in completely closed naturalistic system it is pointless to talk about ends.
The second option would be a supernatural explanation. The chief end of man is to be a testament to that which made him. What is the chief end of art? What is the purpose of any specific piece of art? The chief end of art is determined by the artist, the specific purpose of each piece is created and bestowed upon it by the artist. IN the same manner man is like this.
God is the great master, the Cosmic artist. Man is a masterpiece of His. As art our chief end is the satisfaction of His will. As individual pieces of art we have varying determined purposes.
Now art is inherently open to interpretation. Some interpretations can offer insightful knowledge while others can be completely off-base. Those who know the artist more intimately are more capable of giving insightful interpretations than those who don't.
Likewise man is created to be free to interpret his own purpose and end. Often times we are mistaken in both, other times we are only partially right. Can the painting say my purpose is to play music and my end is to be happy? No, that is absurd! Can the man say my purpose is to be what I will and my end is to make myself happy? No, that is absurd.
The difference between any piece of art and any man is the man can choose to ignore his purpose and end. He can choose to take credit for his own being and destiny even though he has no legitimate right to.
So, what is the chief end of man? The chief end of man is to be a living, breathing testament to the skill and greatness of the Creator. This is universal. What is the purpose of any man? To be what the Creator has made him to be. Some are paintings, some are sonnets, some are sculptures and others are the tables, the tools, and the materials used to make them. In the end we are all a part of one great masterpiece. No part is more important than the whole, but no part is so unimportant as to not be necessary to the complete greatness of the piece.
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