A Note on Cycling and Ontology
From Christopher Bradbury; DH FLyers Elite Team
In one day, I am heading home from London – Western University – to Uxbridge, my hometown. Next week is reading week and, although I have work to do, I am excited to have some more fun on the bike on home roads.
I just finished a philosophy exam that was worth 45% – I didn’t do very well. But in this exam, I was required to discuss equivocation (when misleading terms are used to represent something else) and attempt to use it in an ontological argument (relating to metaphysics: being, existence – emphasis on God). However, all that could come to my mind was ‘the bike.’ Does this mean I can infer that my God is my bike? Or is the bike a representation of my being? It sure seems one of these ways, when at a time in my life, my concerns should be school, work, friends, and girls.
According to the stipulative definition of God – he is all-knowing, all-moral, and all-powerful. This is certainly a tall order for a bike to accomplish. But maybe we are taking the wrong perspective to try to equivocate, or symbolize, a bike with God. We rely on our perceptions and personal experiences (Descartes) to tell us what we believe in. Therefore, our definition of God is a product of our own senses and perceptions. There are few times (if any) that I have ever felt something that has been all-knowing, all-moral, and all-powerful. But from my experience, the closest I have come is when I have a good ride. I feel detached from everything, just attached to my bike – a relationship that some claim we have with God. In philosophy, I have taken on a skeptical outlook on many concepts – believing only what I am sure of. I am not sure of my grades; I am not sure of my future career; I am not sure if she likes me – but I am sure of my connection to my bike.
I know this is not the typical cycling article/blog, but I feel sincere writing this, and I believe that there is value in thinking beyond the ‘known and logical’ – because the most interesting concepts in the world are the ones that twist the mind. Riding my bike is an incredible, and very surreal experience that only a handful of athletes can comprehend. So take what you want. In a world of skepticism and religious debate, it’s nice to know that one of life’s greatest pleasures is between my legs.
