What I Require From Life?
-J.B.S. Haldane
Bio of the author:
On November 5, 1892, British-Indian scientist John
Burdon Sanderson Haldane was born. He published several important works,
including Daedalus in 1924, Animal Biology in 1927, The Inequality of Man
in the year 1932, et cetera.
The 1940
publication of the essay "What I Require from Life" in The
Daily Worker demonstrates socialistic beliefs calling for workplace
democracy. The language used to write this text is simple and straightforward.
Overall, in the essay "What I Require from
Life," J.B.S. Haldane emphasizes socialist principles that call for
democratic working practices. It is written in a simple, unambiguous language
with a strong emphasis on human needs like freedom and good health.
Elucidation of the Essay
The descriptive essay focuses on the author accepting
the state of the world who simply reckons that he ought not to ask for the
impossible. Remembering his fertile life, especially his youth age, the essayist claims that he had hopes for a calm
existence although he could see no possibility of it now since he has been
leading a heroic life since 1914. In the predicament he was in, he
simply tried to make the most of the circumstance by meeting his fundamental
necessities, such as food, shelter, and clothing. Work, freedom, health, and
companionship are four things he lists as basic human needs. Haldane says
that workers should be paid a decent remuneration for the positions they are
working for along with the workaholic freedom of the employees regarding their
decisions where they have the interests to work.
The author places a premium on free expression and commands
to speak out against deception and poisonous aspects of the prior era though
the regulation hinders him. He claims that he must be in sound health to work,
enjoys life during the progression of doing jobs, and kicks the bucket as he
can no longer work. The writer then tries to have a rapport with his coworkers
and comrades. Such a relationship should establish the milestone of freedom in which he or his comrades ought to be obeyed the order or idea blandly without
raising any questions.
In addition to these necessities, the writer yearns
for an adventurous life that offers more than just thrills. He would also like
to have a private car, his own room with beautiful books, a lovely garden, a
river, and a beach nearby. Despite these, he bears it well and considers
himself fortunate because he can meet his basic needs. However, his friends
cannot find happiness in such necessities unless they possess them. If they do
not be cherubic, the author says that his happiness does not seem countable.
As a socialist, the author relies on each employee
to run the business, wants everyone to be as healthy as possible, and insists
that class and sex prejudice disappear to create a fraternal and
egalitarian society. Additionally, he wants to see all workers in power, a
commercial and industrial uprising, and the abolition of capitalism.
He wants to put a stop to the fascist tyranny that
caused the First World War, and he won't look for perfect peace until fascism
is not completely eradicated. Additionally, he is in favor of advancements in
security, education, and the application of scientific ideas to all parts of
life. Last but not least, he calls for a death that satisfies at least two of
the three conditions for Socrates' passing: dying for his conviction, dying in
full control of his faculties, and dying laughing. He knew his pals wouldn't
feel sorry for him even though he anticipated they would grieve him.
Summing Up
The writer needs food, shelter, a job, health,
independence, and companionship for himself and other people along with
socialism, which could defeat fascism and capitalism for the society in which
he lives. In the essay, he also defends all workers while denouncing capitalism
for prioritizing itself over workers, especially in recessionary times. He believed
that employees should have a democratic workplace; they should have the ability
to regulate their working conditions. He discards discrimination based on class
and gender and thinks everyone should have access to the same economic prospects.
Freedom has been portrayed as a universal
requirement rather than an individual choice. The author contends that equality
and egalitarianism which is the foundation of the terms we talk about socialism,
a sense of free will, and societal synchronization. The message the author
passes upon readers is how to respect others and address their right to
attain a cherubic life by reducing or ceasing selfish behavior. People must be
socialists with the capacity to speak up for the voiceless, advance equality,
and abstain from behaviors that could endanger our lives if they want to live
in peace. The conclusion of the essay makes a political suggestion. To fulfill
all of their demands, people should exert a great deal of work.
Critical Evaluation
This essay outlines the qualities a person should
possess, including good work, excellent health, friends, and freedom, and it
uses examples from socialism to show how these traits should be applied universally.
He discusses his requirements, desires, and goals; and he opposes sexism and
class prejudice but believes in a healthy society that with a sound body, he won't
have all the benefits he currently has under socialism but will be content if
he lives to see capitalism eradicated. Hitler and Mussolini make it clear that
fascism is a real reality that involves conflict and demonstrates this via
their acts.
Assimilation
Simply put, this essay is the author's expression of
his ideas about the kind of life he desires. The author concludes by stating
that he requires socialism for his society in addition to food, warmth, a job,
liberty, health, and friendship for himself. He has standards for his death in
addition to those for his life, and he considers Socrates' death to be
fortunate.
Haldane wants at least two of Socrates' conditions
to be met so his friends won't feel sorry for him because Socrates passed away
at the age of 70, having completed all of his works and passing away while
still in possession of his faculties and having a good laugh.
Final Take
The universe must be accepted for what it is, and we
must not make unreasonable demands of it. We ought to be happy with what we now
have. Because selfishness is undesirable, we must also think about how we might
make others happy by watching their enjoyment. We all need friends, food,
warmth, employment, freedom, and health in our lives.