"In December 1890 my marriage with Evelyn Willoughby Wade took place. The effect of my wife upon my outlook on the world has been so fundamental, that it must be mentioned as an essential factor in my philosophic output. (...) Her vivid life has taught me that beauty, moral and aesthetic, is the aim of existence; and that kindness, and love, and artistic satisfaction are among its modes of attainment. Logic and Science are the disclosure of relevant patterns, and also procure the avoidance of irrelevancies.
This outlook somewhat shifts the ordinary philosophic emphasis upon the past. It directs attention to the periods of great art and literature, as best expressing the essential values of life. The summit of human attainment does not wait for the emergence of systematized doctrine, though system has its essential functions in the rise of civilization. It provides the gradual upgrowth of a stabilized social system."
p. 8. Whitehead: Autobiographical Notes in The Philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead, ed. Paul Arthur Schlipp. 1941/1951. New York: Tudor Publishing Company.
You sir, merit my appreciation and inspire me.
Of course certain qualifications are in place: let's understand 'avoidance of irrelevancies' as avoiding and preventing all that can ruin our chances for conducting a morally and aesthetically beautiful existence. One way of attaining that moral beauty is of course to help others avoid such irrelevancies, as does a doctor, or a pharmacist. On an interesting approach to how to make use of your working time so as to shape your life in an ethical manner see this website with some practical suggestions: http://80000hours.org/
Of course the 80000 hours organisations approach should be qualified too: making good use of your time by having a high impact is just one among the many of the moral and aesthetic factors that play a role in achieving a beautiful life. You need to find that work or the goals you achieve by them to be at least so personally fulfilling that it makes sense for you to carry on. Also, such a conduct should not make too large demands against aspects of your life that are essential to its being a happy life. That is, you should still have time left for hobbies, friends, family or if you are that type of person who likes to spend his hours on his own, for your private sphere.
