Why?

I had the following email conversation with UPS China regarding the delay in delivery of some stuff I ordered from the US. I had previously order the same things 3 times, without ant great problem, except filling in customs declarations. This time they said I had to pay taxes.

The money is no problem, but I thought I'd ask the question just in case it was a mistake.

"You need to pay 71rmb in taxes" wrote UPS

"OK, but why do I need to pay the taxes this time, when last time I didn't have to?" wrote I

"good. please complete the form and email it back to me." wrote UPS

"Done, completed form attached. Why do I need to pay the taxes?" wrote I, wondering if UPS misunderstood my question.

"receieved. thanks." wrote UPS

"Why do I need to pay the taxes?" wrote I, becoming frustrated at the lack of response.

"you can pay the driver when he delivers it." wrote UPS

"thank you, thats helpful. But WHY do I need to pay the taxes?" wrote I, wondering why UPS mistook a why question for a how question.

"no problem." wrote UPS

"WHY DO I NEED TO PAY THE TAXES?" wrote I, wondering if the isolation of the question would force her to provide an answer.

"it is necessary." wrote UPS

"thank you for all your help." wrote I knowing that the sarcasm would be lost.

"no problem." wrote UPS, demonstrating my point.

I spend a lot of time in philosophy class teaching the difference between why and how. They are not the same. Why is the foundation of all wisdom, how is a practical realm which only becomes useful once why has been established.

Without why, how is redundant.

After this email conversation and doing further research* I have concluded that our society is moving further from wisdom and closer to redundancy.

It is true we know how to do things now that were previously only the imaginings of crazy people on acid, but it would appear we have no idea why we do any of it.

It's true that my friend at UPS probably just doesn't know why. They probably didn't tell her. And that my friends is the first sign that the end is near.

Here's the advice I give my students everyday. The advice that makes me unpopular amongst the other teachers. If you don't know WHY you are doing something, DO NOT DO IT! Reflect, ask questions, discover the answer, then act.

The only way to get our society back on track is to start asking why. Ask everyone, everyday. Pretend you are 5 years old again, and keep asking until you get an answer that satisfies your soul.


*Further reading:

Alain de Botton - any and all of his books
Eric Schlosser - Fast Food Nation (doco Food Inc)
Peter Singer - any and all of his books