One of the most important words in the English language is “Why”. It’s such a simple word, yet it’s analogue can be found in every language. The underlying concept for the question appears to be unique to humans – it implies curiosity and an expectation that an answer to the question exists (or should exist).

Young children in particular fixate on “Why”. Parents throughout history have been bombarded with a never-ending stream of Whys; “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why are there bugs?”, or “Why is ice slippery?”. Questions such as these presage a life of Whys.

This simple question has launched adventurous explorations and given rise to a long history of scientific investigation and discovery. Human development has soared propelled by this questioning curiosity of the world in which we find ourselves.

Perhaps as compelling, we ask “Why” as a lamentation as we try to make sense of loss or tragedy. How often have we asked, “Why me?”, “Why death?”, “Why pain?” in our search for personal discovery. We ask these questions too in the hope that the answers would be a balm for our anguish.

This single word and the questions it spawns defines many of our curious and plaintive pursuits for knowledge and understanding. I have found one such question particularly vital: “Why are we here?”.

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Kevin Deeny