I have just gotten into Plato’s Symposium past sitting down to dinner, so the discussion of the topic of love is just about to begin and I’ll probably go through that today (McCarthy’s holding my reading interest right now!). But I still go back to Boethius, and though I know his points will always be a subject of thought and seeking answers, another trail came to me this morning.
It is understood from Consolation of Philosophy that even as man pursues the gifts of life in honor, wealth, fame, he should not reasonably depend upon these as a source of highest happiness. I do wonder though, when we consider our own mortality we cannot help but feel a need to make a mark upon this earth–by our actions leave a legacy of sorts. While this is not important in the eye of Boethius, and understandably so, I wonder if the progeny/childless state of being affects our willingness to accept this concept.
One can look at one’s child and feel a sense of continuity in reproduction of oneself. Is this sufficient to satisfy that "mark" of presence to some? Does it inspire in others the desire to leave as well a reputation for the generations to follow? Without spawn, does one seek one’s mark in other manners, such as conquest, wealth, fame based upon one’s actions other than one’s name that will be carried on by others?
I’m sure studies have been done on this, and it is an interesting path to follow as to one’s acceptance of how one both conducts one’s life, as well as how one faces death.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology