To Wonder Why
It's a 6.5 mile (10.5 km) hike in to Imogene Lake, in the Idaho Sawtooths, mostly uphill. :) The lake is at an elevation of 8,442 feet (2,573 m).
After a day's activities at this elevation, it gets difficult to stay awake long enough for the skies to become this inky dark. Yet it's well worth it.
When you see the night sky, what's the first question that comes to mind?
Quite possibly, "Why?".
It's been said that "Why?" is the most important question to be asked in almost any endeavour, scientific or otherwise.
"Why?" is unique among questions.
"How?", "What?", "When?", "Where?", "Who?", all have fairly discrete answers. The answers to these are essentially raw statements of fact.
"Why?" however is a question that digs deeper. Merriam-Webster defines it as essentially:
1 :for what cause, reason, or purpose
So the question "Why?," presumes there must be a cause, a reason or a purpose. (duh)
Unintelligent, inanimate objects may, by a strict definition, cause things to occur. However, they don't have reasons for the actions they may be a part of. They certainly don't have a purpose for their actions. They are pretty much victims of their own circumstances. The only things we know of that cause other things to occur, for a reason, or with a purpose, is other entities. A person or persons. Even a dog or cat person has a reason or purpose for what they do.
Someone may ask "Why did the falling rocks land on the road?". Because there was heavy rain that loosened the soil. The rocks, assisted by gravity, began their downward motion. There was a cause in this instance, but not an intelligent one.
A child might then ask, "Why does it rain?" or "Why is there gravity?". It seems one question "why", often inevitably leads to the next question "why", for both children and adults.
When I look up at the night sky I wonder "Why?". Likely you have as well.
By the definition of the word "why", it's logical to assume that only a person can answer that penultimate question with a satisfying answer.
"To Wonder Why" is available for purchase in the Landscapes gallery.
Wishing you the "Peace of Light".
Thomas Cakalic
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