In my life, I’ve explored many different paths and pursued various interests. For a few months, I immersed myself in fundamental physics theories. Then, for some time, I wrote poetry. Another period was dedicated intensely to music—though I still occasionally touch the piano. As a child, I used to think about becoming a football player. I even dabbled in magic tricks for a while! I still know a few techniques that could leave you amazed.
Take this blog, for instance. When I wrote my first post in Farvardin 1395 (March/April 2016), I thought I’d really stick with writing. But after two months… well, that was enough of that too! My mother’s classic line when I quit hiking after just a month: “Mehdi is like this—he chases something for a couple of weeks and then drops it.”
Even though she thought she was insulting me, it didn’t really feel like an insult. That’s how I’ve lived. As if the philosophy of my life pulls me wherever it wishes.
From childhood to youth, I read various books and met different people who left a deep mark on my mind. First, my high school history teacher in 11th grade, Mr. Legzian. Second, my pre-university literature teacher, Mr. Safaei. The thoughts of the first inspired me to read my very first non-textbook. During that time, I read “The Lord of Alamut,” “Twilight of the Idols,” “The Third Wave,” and “The Banquet of Love.” I believe they fundamentally changed who I am. The second teacher taught me a lasting belief: never do anything without love. Any work done without love is pointless and meaningless.
But my thirst for philosophy has never ended. Life’s questions have always meant more to me than life itself. I feel that if you don’t find proper answers to your life’s questions, you can’t really live. Of course, deep philosophy often discourages final answers and instead guides you toward asking better questions. But a philosophy that does not ease human suffering—what is it for? (That last sentence is inspired by Epicurus.)
Now, I’ve found a book whose content and author reflect exactly what I’ve been searching for: a deep and soothing philosophy grounded in fundamental sciences.
The book is called “The Big Questions,” written by Steven E. Landsburg and translated into Persian by Hamid Reza Arbab.
If you’re anything like me, I recommend reading this book. It’ll help you see the universe more through the lens of connections, rather than just effects.
