I’m beginning a course next year in computer science at university.
I’ve convinced myself more or less that this is what I want to do; that this is something worth doing; and that expertise in this field is a step towards a stable, challenging and fulfilling life of creativity and technological mastery.
I’m far more convinced that I want to lead a good life, and that this should be my unwavering and primary goal. I’ve found a deep and profound source of inspiration in the teachings of Marcus Aurelius, a man that through his work I have come to admire.
It all sounds rather like fluff of the highest order, the passing fancy and idealism that is so well associated with a small dose of philosophy. I’m also well aware of my own tendency to grip tightly to ideas for a short time, before letting them go as quickly as they came.
Fine. But I hope that this post will serve as a reminder, a grounding of this idea: that I never lose sight of what it means to lead a good life. As Marcus said so eloquently, the allure of power, wealth and pleasure can take control and carry us away, and I’m fearful that in the pursuit of a career, particularly one in a competitive and sophisticated field like computer science, it will be very difficult to let principle reign over ambition and success.
I’m fearful because should principle reign over success, all of this work may be for nothing – in which case the value of such a course is brought into question. If I invest time in something that may require me to put the values of economic and social success ahead of the principles of virtue, it may be a huge and irreconcilable injustice.
For example, a job as a cyber-security expert at a large mining firm is sure to come with decent pay, a growth environment and outstanding colleagues – but does the very acceptance of such a position undermine what it means to lead a virtuous life? I would almost surely think so. And this raises the very distressing issue of what to do about it.
How is one supposed to lead a good life while accepting the established career opportunities of a developed western nation? Maybe through the use of a trade to forge a different path, a business or organisation committed to balancing the two.
I suppose success to me would therefore be a sustainable and sufficient income doing something that is either linked with or entirely separate from what my actual purpose is – which would be, in the context of computer science, something like the defence of reputable firms from cyber attacks, or the software support for those organisations that benefit the common good – an honest media outlet, or a respectable NGO.
Perhaps this is just a pipe dream; but regardless of where I end up, the commitment to a good life has to be at the centre of any decisions that I make. This cannot be allowed to take a backseat to ambition or excessive personal gain.
TJDempsey 