BETTER-BEING: THE HUMAN PATH OF CONSCIENCE BEYOND WELL-BEING
Introduction
What truly distinguishes humans from other beings on this planet? Is it our intelligence, our emotions, or perhaps our capacity for self-reflection and moral awareness? Throughout history, scholars and spiritual traditions have explored the fundamental differences between animals, humans, and angels.
One powerful theological and philosophical perspective holds that:
• Angels were created with reason and no desires.
• Animals were created with desires and no reason.
• Humans were created with both reason and desires.
Humans possess an unparalleled ability for complex reasoning and abstract thought. Unlike animals, whose problem-solving is often direct and instinctive—sometimes described as “laser beam” intelligence—humans employ “floodlight” cognition. This allows us to imagine scenarios, plan ahead, and weigh consequences across time.
Our sophisticated use of language plays a key role in this. It enables us to express abstract ideas, share culture, build civilizations, and reflect on ourselves. This level of conscious thought is not merely a tool for survival—it is a compass for meaning.
Whereas some animals, especially social mammals like chimpanzees or dogs, might show signs of social regulation or empathy, the conscience is uniquely human. We do not simply feel emotions; we reflect on whether those emotions or actions are right or wrong.
Our conscience allows us to:
• Recognize ethical dimensions in decisions
• Feel guilt, shame, or pride
• Seek forgiveness or make restitution
This is not just an intellectual function—it’s a moral awareness. And it’s this awareness that opens the doorway from well-being to better-being.
Both humans and animals experience desires and emotions. Animals grieve, bond, and show empathy. But the depth and complexity of human emotion—particularly those intertwined with self-awareness and ethical reflection—often transcend animal experience.
For example, the human capacity to feel shame, to restrain desires for the sake of others, or to sacrifice for a principle stems from our reasoned conscience working alongside our emotional core.
The Human Struggle: Angel or Animal?
If our reason governs our desires, we rise toward angelic potential. If our desires overpower our reason, we descend to animalistic instincts. Every ethical choice, every moment of restraint, every pursuit of truth over comfort becomes a spiritual exercise.
This inner struggle is the human condition—and the way we handle it defines our character. It also defines the quality of our well-being. Those who live by conscience often experience a deeper harmony, clarity, and inner peace.
Well-being is often defined by physical health, mental balance, and beauty—especially in how we care for ourselves, our communities, and the planet. But something essential is still missing from most definitions of well-being: conscience.
You can look good, feel good, and even be admired—yet live disconnected from your deepest values. Without a guiding conscience, well-being is surface-level.
But when you add conscience—when your actions align with truth, justice, and inner integrity—you go beyond well-being.
You transcend it.
You reach better-being.
• Angels were created with reason and no desires.
• Animals were created with desires and no reason.
• Humans were created with both reason and desires.
Humans possess an unparalleled ability for complex reasoning and abstract thought. Unlike animals, whose problem-solving is often direct and instinctive—sometimes described as “laser beam” intelligence—humans employ “floodlight” cognition. This allows us to imagine scenarios, plan ahead, and weigh consequences across time.
Our sophisticated use of language plays a key role in this. It enables us to express abstract ideas, share culture, build civilizations, and reflect on ourselves. This level of conscious thought is not merely a tool for survival—it is a compass for meaning.
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Whereas some animals, especially social mammals like chimpanzees or dogs, might show signs of social regulation or empathy, the conscience is uniquely human. We do not simply feel emotions; we reflect on whether those emotions or actions are right or wrong.
Our conscience allows us to:
• Recognize ethical dimensions in decisions
• Feel guilt, shame, or pride
• Seek forgiveness or make restitution
This is not just an intellectual function—it’s a moral awareness. And it’s this awareness that opens the doorway from well-being to better-being.
⸻
Desires and Emotions: Shared Across Species
Both humans and animals experience desires and emotions. Animals grieve, bond, and show empathy. But the depth and complexity of human emotion—particularly those intertwined with self-awareness and ethical reflection—often transcend animal experience.
For example, the human capacity to feel shame, to restrain desires for the sake of others, or to sacrifice for a principle stems from our reasoned conscience working alongside our emotional core.
⸻
The Human Struggle: Angel or Animal?
If our reason governs our desires, we rise toward angelic potential. If our desires overpower our reason, we descend to animalistic instincts. Every ethical choice, every moment of restraint, every pursuit of truth over comfort becomes a spiritual exercise.
This inner struggle is the human condition—and the way we handle it defines our character. It also defines the quality of our well-being. Those who live by conscience often experience a deeper harmony, clarity, and inner peace.
⸻
Consciousness and Better-Being
Well-being is often defined by physical health, mental balance, and beauty—especially in how we care for ourselves, our communities, and the planet. But something essential is still missing from most definitions of well-being: conscience.
You can look good, feel good, and even be admired—yet live disconnected from your deepest values. Without a guiding conscience, well-being is surface-level.
But when you add conscience—when your actions align with truth, justice, and inner integrity—you go beyond well-being.
You transcend it.
You reach better-being.
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While humans share emotions and instincts with animals, and reason with angels, our ability to balance both is what sets us apart. This balance enables a richer form of well-being—one that incorporates not only physical and mental harmony but also ethical consciousness.
Better-being is not just about feeling good or looking good—
It’s about living peacefully in alignment with truth, beauty, and responsibility.
1. De Waal, F. (2013). The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates.
2. Tomasello, M. (2019). Becoming Human: A Theory of Ontogeny. Harvard University Press.
Better-being is not just about feeling good or looking good—
It’s about living peacefully in alignment with truth, beauty, and responsibility.
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1. De Waal, F. (2013). The Bonobo and the Atheist: In Search of Humanism Among the Primates.
2. Tomasello, M. (2019). Becoming Human: A Theory of Ontogeny. Harvard University Press.
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#BetterBeing #WellBeing #Conscience #HumanPotential #SpiritualGrowth #Ethics #EmotionalIntelligence #MoralAwareness #Mindfulness #DrShamil #Well-being #Health #Beauty #Angels #Humans #Man #Animals
Brilliantly conceived idea Jason. This should be written for the New York Times or Forbes Magazine for the political discourse in America! Love your thinking, Dr.Shamil.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!!
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