What I Require from Life: J.B.S.Haldane

About the author

J. B. S. Haldane (1892-64) was one of the scientific giants of the 20th century. A polymath who made important contributions to sciences ranging from physiology to genetics and biochemistry, he was also a highly-skilled writer and an extraordinary character - brilliant, witty, idealistic, funny, and pugnacious.

What I Require from Life is a compilation of his popular scientific essays written from the 1940s to the last years of his life that reflect not only his command to communicate scientific understanding, but also his deep commitment to socialism. He renounced British citizenship on political ground and moved to India where he embraced Marxism and died in Orissa in 1964.

 

Summary

 

The essay initially appears to be a personal essay about the author's own preferences. However, in its analysis, it becomes apparent that he is making a political and philosophical argument that his most essential requirements are those of a typical specimen of humanity.


He says that he has to accept the universe as it is. He cannot require the impossible. He then sets out a few of the things which he personally wants out of life: interesting work, good health, friendship, and freedom.

In the second part of the essay, he relates his personal requirements to his hopes for the rest of humanity, assuming himself to be a fairly typical specimen. For instance, he assumes other people also want to work and says that he is against capitalism because in times of economic depression, it inevitably leads to unemployment.

Haldane's style is typically straightforward and vigorous. As a science popularizer, he is accustomed to writing about complex matters in a way that any reader can understand. Here, when writing on a non-technical subject, he retains this simplicity, with short, forceful, declarative sentences and clear explanations. His subject at first appears to be personal and his mode of writing descriptive. However, later it becomes clear that he is putting forward a political argument. Freedom, for instance, is not merely a personal preference of Haldane's but a universal requirement. This means that society should be structured in such a way as to maximize freedom for everyone. His viewpoint is that of a social critic, setting forth a general program of the principles that should underlie a civilized society.

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions. 

a. How does the writer distinguish between a peaceful age and a heroic age?

 

The writer distinguishes between a peaceful age and a heroic age on the basis of rifts and enmity among nations that were witnessed after 1914. He was born and grew up in a peaceful age as there was no war in the world. But the First World War brought the nations in combating mood and England, the author's home country was dragged into a major war. To note, the writer participated in both wars at the front.

b. Why does the writer want more freedom of speech than most people? 

The writer wants more freedom of speech than most people because he is a writer and critic. He wants to criticize things as they are.

c. According to the writer, what are the four general human needs? 

The four general human needs are work, freedom, health and friendship.

d. What is the difference between desire and demand according to the writer?

 

According to the writer, the difference between desire and demand is that desire simply refers to the mere wish of a person to have a particular commodity whereas demand refers to a desire backed by the ability and willingness to pay for a commodity. The writer desires to have a room of his own with some books, a motor-car, and a daily bath. He likes to have a garden, a bathing-pool, or a river, or a beach within reach. But he does not have them that does not make him unhappy.

 

e. Why does the writer demand security? 

The writer demands security because fascism has become a living reality as practiced by Hitler and Mussolini and war was inevitable in Europe at any time.

Reference to the context

Explain the following lines with reference to the context:

a. “The satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill.”

 

The writer means that adventure does not mean thrill alone but satisfaction in taking up a creative activity. In active war front in Madrid for six months, he obtained thrill reading a poetry book by Rimbaud.

 

 

b. “I want the workers to see the fruit of their own work not in profits for others, but in their own and their friends’ well-being.”

 

Being a socialist, he wants workers to exercise fruits of their labor not to make richer the bourgeoisie capitalists, but to benefit in the wages of the workers themselves for their own economic prosperity.

c. Why do you think the essayist has taken reference from the ancient philosophers? 

The essayist has taken references from the ancient philosophers to make his insight stronger and significant. He refers to Aristotle to talk about happiness and Socrates to envy his death.

 

d. Discuss the essay in terms of its language, purpose, subject, point of view and mode of writing.

 

Haldane's style is typically straightforward and vigorous. As a science popularizer, his purpose was to present science in a language that even a layman can understand. Hence, he is accustomed to writing about complex matters in a way that any reader can understand. Here, when writing on a non-technical subject, he retains this simplicity, with short, forceful, declarative sentences and clear explanations. His subject at first appears to be personal and his mode of writing descriptive. However, later it becomes clear that he is putting forward a political argument. Freedom, for instance, is not merely a personal preference of Haldane's but a universal requirement. This means that society should be structured in such a way as to maximize freedom for everyone. His viewpoint is that of a social critic, setting forth a general program of the principles that should underlie a civilized society.

 

Reference beyond the text

 a. What do you require from your life to be happy and satisfied? 

If I have to answer the question in a single word, it would be ‘more’.....More money. A better job title. A bigger house. A nicer wardrobe. We all want more. It’s human nature, really. Even if you aren’t a perfectionist, most of us usually aren’t willing to completely stagnate. We all have at least some desire to keep moving forward.

But, let’s face it—living our lives with a ceaseless yearning to constantly get on more can be downright draining. And, if you want to feel even the least bit content on a daily basis, you need to learn to go against the grain and be happy with —less.

Easier said than done, right? Believe me; I’m right there with you. Learning to be complacent with what you already have is definitely doable—it just takes a little conscious thought. Are you willing to follow me as such?

1. Stop falling into the comparison trap

All too often, I find myself chasing after something not because I actually want it, but because other people have it. But, it’s important to remember that someone else’s success isn’t your failure. And, beyond that, you don’t have to have everything that another person already has. You’re different people with different lives. So, do your best to stay focused on your own path, and forget the rest. In the end, what everyone else is doing has little to no impact on your own success and happiness.

2. Think about your reasoning

Ultimately, there’s nothing wrong with seeking improvement—as long as you have legitimate reasons for doing so. Maybe you want a better job because your current one makes you absolutely miserable. Perhaps you’re chasing after more money because you find that your family is strapped for cash month after month. Those desires to be better can actually be motivating, and that’s a good thing!

But, if the only reasoning behind your longings is, “I just want it,” you are wrong. You know you need to reevaluate and focus your attention on being happy with what you already have.

3. End each day feeling grateful

Learn to be grateful for what you have in your possession. Every night, think of some things you are grateful for. Whether it’s your family or a great accomplishment from your workday, spend some time reflecting on all of the things that made you crack a smile. Remember and be grateful for all the things, both big and smalls, that you should appreciate. Dozing off while remembering even insignificant things like how adorable your dog is keeping you happy and satisfied. Well, there’s no better way to end the day.

We all want more. And, to some extent, that’s a good thing. But, if you spend every spare moment only thinking about all of the things you don’t have yet, you’re setting yourself up for a life of stress and discontentment.


b. What is socialism? How is it different from capitalism?

Socialism is an economic and political system under which the means of production are publicly owned. Production and consumer prices are controlled by the government to best meet the needs of the people.

Socialism and capitalism are the two main economic systems used in developed countries today. The main difference between capitalism and socialism is the extent to which the government controls the economy.

Capitalism is an economic system under which the means of production are privately owned. Production and consumer prices are based on a free-market system of “supply and demand.”

Socialism is most often criticized for its provision of social services programs requiring high taxes that may decelerate economic growth. Capitalism is most often criticized for its tendency to allow income inequality and stratification of socio-economic classes.

Socialist governments strive to eliminate economic inequality by tightly controlling businesses and distributing wealth through programs that benefit the poor, such as free education and healthcare. Capitalism, on the other hand, holds that private enterprise utilizes economic resources more efficiently than the government and that society benefits when the distribution of wealth is determined by a freely-operating market.

c. Write an essay about your dream house. 

 

It will be great happiness for everyone if we can own a house designed by ourselves. A house in my dream is not necessarily a large house but I want my house to be close to nature. A house located on the outskirts of town will be very suitable for me to enjoy a simple life. I want a small waterfall near my house surrounded by trees. I like having breakfast or enjoy night views in my own garden. Simplicity is beauty; this explains why I would prefer an airy space rather than a well-equipped, confined house. However, the house should have basic necessities in the kitchen to serve all my demands in daily life. My bedroom will be more perfect if it has a library of books. I could look out of the window to see the scenery. Moreover, in my house, I wish to have a beautiful field where I could go jogging or play some games with my friend. I hope my dream house will get built so that my friend, my teachers and most of all my family can come and enjoy it with me.