The Philosopher and the Wolf

1. The wolf as a mirror: Reflections on human nature and morality

What is best about us comes from what is worst.

Human intelligence and morality have evolved from our capacity for deception and violence. Our ability to scheme and deceive more effectively than other animals has led to the development of our superior intelligence. Similarly, our moral sense arose from the need to regulate our inherently violent nature.

• Origins of human intelligence:
  • Ability to understand and manipulate others' minds
  • Capacity for alliance formation and deception
• Roots of human morality:
  • Need to control our violent tendencies
  • Development of concepts like justice and fairness

The wolf, in contrast, represents a more straightforward and honest way of being. By observing and living with a wolf, the author gains insights into the complexities and contradictions of human nature, challenging our assumptions about our supposed superiority over other animals.

2. The social contract and its implications for human behavior

The contract is supposedly what makes us civilized human beings. But the contract also supplies an unvarying pressure towards deception.

The social contract theory, which posits that society is based on an agreement between individuals to respect each other's rights, reveals fundamental aspects of human nature. While it's meant to explain the basis of civilization, it actually highlights our tendency towards deception and self-interest.

• Key aspects of the social contract:
  • Mutual agreement to respect rights
  • Protection in exchange for cooperation
• Implications for human behavior:
  • Encourages strategic deception
  • Rewards skillful manipulation

The author argues that this conception of society as a contract between strangers fails to capture the essence of true moral behavior, which is based on loyalty and care for those close to us. The wolf, unburdened by such complex social calculations, offers a simpler and perhaps more authentic model of social interaction.

3. The pursuit of happiness: Contrasting human and animal perspectives

Happiness is not just pleasant; it is also deeply unpleasant.

Human pursuit of happiness is often misguided, focusing on fleeting pleasures and constant novelty. We tend to think of happiness as a feeling to be chased, leading to a never-ending and ultimately unsatisfying quest for new experiences and sensations.

• Human approach to happiness:
  • Emphasis on new experiences
  • Constant pursuit of pleasure
  • Difficulty in finding contentment in the present
• Wolf's approach to happiness:
  • Contentment in routine and repetition
  • Ability to fully engage with the present moment

The author suggests that true happiness, as exemplified by his wolf companion, involves embracing both pleasant and unpleasant aspects of life. It's found not in constant pursuit of new experiences, but in fully engaging with the present moment, even when it involves struggle or discomfort.

4. Love, loyalty, and the profound bond between humans and animals

Until you've cleaned your dog's smelly, suppurating, disease-ridden arse every two hours for well over a month, you really don't know.

True love and loyalty are revealed not in moments of joy, but in times of hardship and sacrifice. The author's experience of caring for his terminally ill wolf demonstrates the depth of the bond that can form between humans and animals.

• Characteristics of profound love:
  • Willingness to endure discomfort for the loved one
  • Commitment to care regardless of personal cost
  • Acceptance of the other's suffering as part of one's own experience

This intense experience of care and devotion challenges our usual conceptions of love, revealing it as something far more profound than mere affection or enjoyment of another's company. It suggests that true love is a form of loyalty that persists even when it brings pain and hardship to ourselves.

5. The nature of evil and its manifestation in human actions

Evil is quotidian; it is commonplace. It is banal.

The banality of evil is a key insight into human nature. Evil is not always the result of monstrous intentions or sadistic pleasure, but often stems from a failure to critically examine our beliefs and actions, or from a lack of empathy and moral courage.

• Sources of evil:
  • Failure of epistemic duty (not examining our beliefs)
  • Failure of moral duty (not protecting the vulnerable)
  • Manufacture of helplessness in others

The author argues that evil is far more common than we like to admit, permeating society at all levels. It's not confined to obvious villains or psychopaths, but can be found in the actions of ordinary people, even those with good intentions. This understanding challenges us to be more vigilant about our own potential for evil and more compassionate towards others.

6. Time, mortality, and the human experience of life's meaning

Death is not the limit of my life. Always, I have carried my death with me.

Human experience of time fundamentally shapes our understanding of life's meaning and our approach to mortality. Unlike animals, who live primarily in the present moment, humans are constantly aware of the passage of time and our own mortality.

• Human temporal experience:
  • Awareness of past and future
  • Ability to plan and anticipate
  • Consciousness of our own mortality
• Impact on life's meaning:
  • Search for purpose beyond the present moment
  • Anxiety about death and loss
  • Difficulty in fully engaging with the present

This temporal consciousness, while enabling long-term planning and complex thought, also brings existential anxiety and can prevent us from fully experiencing and appreciating the present moment. The author suggests that our preoccupation with time and mortality may be a source of suffering unique to humans.

7. The wisdom of living in the moment: Lessons from a wolf

Each moment is complete in itself and requires no further moments for its significance or justification.

Living in the moment, as exemplified by the wolf, offers a different and potentially more fulfilling approach to life. While humans are often caught up in memories of the past or anticipation of the future, animals demonstrate an ability to fully engage with and find contentment in the present.

• Benefits of present-focused living:
  • Reduced anxiety about the future
  • Greater appreciation of immediate experiences
  • Ability to find joy in repetition and routine

The author's experiences with his wolf companion reveal the potential for a different way of experiencing time and finding meaning in life. By learning to appreciate each moment for what it is, rather than always looking through it to some future goal or past memory, we may find a more authentic and satisfying way of being in the world.

Last updated: January 24, 2025