Thinking as a Hobby

I'm rediscovering my love for reading short stories!!! I praise God that this term I have a course that allows me to do this :).

I just read Golding's Thinking as a Hobby, and am challenged by the simple yet extraordinarily complex concept of thinking.  When did we begin to think?  How do we know when the level and complexity of our thinking evolves from our once elementary ways?  In this short essay, Golding humerously depicts his transitioning from grade 3 to grade 1 (the most superior/evolved) thinking as a child, adolescent, to adult.  He does this through his prose and use of object symbolism (three statues that resemble key things in life - (1) Venus de Milo - resembling LOVE, (2) A Leopard - resembling human nauture, and (3) Rodin's Thinker - resembling our ability to THINK).  As the main character transitions from the different grades, the position of these statues change accordingly.  It's interesting that the author can differentiate between the different grades.  From my understanding, grade 3 is the most instinctual, where your thoughts are very much intertwined with feeling.  Apparently most of us linger in this stage of feeling-thinking.  There is a lot of prejudice and contradition in our thought patterns but we are oblivious to it.  In grade 2, you evolve in the fact that you become aware of the prejudice and contraditions.  The scary part of grade 2 thinking is that you develop a rational to your prejudice and contradictions.  Yous rationalize your behaviour without really digging into the root cause, without asking questions and seeking answers.  Lastly, the author says a few experience grade 1 thinking where you are irreverent to the social norm, whether it is politics, religion or tradition.  You are not content with the world as is, and continually seek for answers.

I am challenged.  I don't know what kind of thinking my thinkin is classified under. Where does faith go under?  The book seemed to insinuate that people who follow a certain religion falls under the grade 2 thinking, believing things as is without challenging, without seeking answers.  But is this really the case?

Perhaps there is a grade zero level of thinking which can be classifed as faith.  Faith is going beyond what the world says is the norm. Faith is believing and thinking of something that you cannot see.  I recall a certain quote, "I think our god isn't God, if he fits inside our heads."  In light of this quote- there are times where I cannot even fathom His love, mercy, forgiveness, relentless nature, grace.............. I can't wrap my head around it. But despite the fact that I, Angela Lee cannot wrap my head around His divine qualities, it does not mean that He does not exist.  I live a life that is touched by all of these qualities.  So is grade 1 really the highest level of thinking?  Where you take the things of the world and try to find answers for yourself?

"If you set out to climb a mountain, however high you climb, you have failed if you cannot reach the top." - A quote that Golding uses to exemplify grade 1 thinking.  Hmm... but consider the fact that the quest of knowing God is a mountain that reaches to the heavens....

Aigoo, I am rambling!  But what a great essay that provoked so much thought! :)