The Inevitability of Bewilderment

Physicist Brian Greene introduces the notion of the universe being a giant hologram. Greene suggests that every thing is controlled by an opposite, sort of parallel universe pre determining these actions. This easily affects my sense of reality due to the idea of free will. This brings question to if free will is actually “free will” or if it is simply predetermined will. Knowing that the perception of things isn’t the actual reality of those things should not determine how one lives his or her life, the concept that everything is pre determined forces one to believe that there is simply one way to live life, the predetermined way.

            Edward Abbey accepts all creatures around him as visitors, although some more threatening than others, he proceeds to search for alternatives to killing the less welcome. Abbey’s connection with creatures and the environment around him is extremely rare; his thirst to learn more and quench his curiosity with experience is inspiring. Although Abbey feels so connected to all living things surrounding him, he acknowledges nature’s original motive for each individual species. This being said, Abbey is aware of boundaries and attempts to stay within the unwritten laws of nature. As he explains, “I follow them for a short distance, still plagued by curiosity, before remembering my place and the requirements of common courtesy.” He then scolds himself for invading the snake’s space, acknowledging that more than just the human species is subject to privacy. I believe there are many instances I could easily relate to Edward Abbey as I am extremely adventurous, curious, and constantly crave the outdoors. If I come across an instance of which I find similarities with Abbey, I will continue to remind myself of the necessary boundaries to be considered. I can instantly relate to Abbey and his drive to discover the unknown, nature and its creatures are beyond interesting, humans were originally meant to live alongside these creatures not disclosed and distant from nature. Abbey recognizes this, thus striving to live in the environment of which he can be one with nature the most.

As Fanny Howe emphasizes in her piece titled “Bewilderment,” many things continue to be unknown to even those most intelligent in different areas of study. Just as Brian Greene illustrates, scientists and philosophers easily view the universe in different ways, just as a poet and a politician may view the economy in a completely different way. Edward Abbey practices man vs nature, this illustrates the inevitable uncertainty of bewilderment referenced by Fanny Howe. While with bewilderment comes uncertainty, as does certainty. Uncertainty and certainty are visible in both pieces, may it be the confusion with the universe or discovery of what is within it, and bewilderment once again proves inevitable.