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WHAT I REQUIRE FROM LIFE - J.B.S. Haldane

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J.B.S. Haldane (1892-1964) was a British-Indian scientist known for his work in the study of physiology, genetics, evolutionary biology, and mathematics who enjoyed participating in war, experimenting on himself, and declaring himself a Communist. His formal schooling was done at Eton College and New College at Oxford. He obtained his M.A. in 1914. Soon after, Haldane enlisted in the British Army and served during World War I. After returning from the war, Haldane began his teaching career at University. From 1937 to 1950, he wrote a column on science for the London Daily Worker. After he and his wife moved to India, Haldane wrote similar articles from 1957 to 1964 for The Hindu in Chennai (Madras).

Haldane's first paper in 1915 demonstrated genetic linkage in mammals. Haldane was a professed socialist, Marxist, atheist and humanist. His political dissent led him to renounce (waive) his British citizenship in 1956 and live in India, becoming a naturalised Indian citizen. 

What I Require From Life is neither an autobiography nor a comprehensive collection of Haldane's writings. Instead it is a mixed collection of Haldane's short essays written for the communist newspaper The Daily Worker (1937-1950) and pieces he wrote after he moved to India (1957-1964).

Haldane begins his essay by saying that he has to accept the universe as it is. He cannot require the impossible. He then sets out a few of the things which he personally wants: interesting work, good health, friendship, and freedom. In the second part of the essay, he relates his personal requirements to his hopes for the rest of humanity, assuming himself to be a fairly typical specimen. For instance, he assumes other people also want to work and says that he is against capitalism because, in times of economic depression, it inevitably leads to unemployment.

Haldane's style is typically straightforward and vigorous (healthy, strong and full of energy). As a science populariser, he is adapted/usual to writing about complex matters in a way that any reader can understand. Here, when writing on a nontechnical subject, he retains this simplicity, with short, forceful, declarative sentences and clear explanations. His subject at first appears to be personal and his mode of writing descriptive. However, in the second part of his essay, it becomes clear that he is putting forward a political argument. Freedom, for instance, is not merely a personal preference of Haldane's but a universal requirement. This means that society should be structured in such a way as to maximise freedom for everyone. His viewpoint is that of a social critic, setting forth a general program of the principles that should underlie a civilised society.

According to the writer, he was born in a peaceful age. During his youth, he desired to live his life peacefully but due to the outbreak of devastating World War I, he involved himself in his heroic age. The devastating World War I changed his concept of living peacefully. In that critical situation, in which he was living, he desired to make his time best through his basic needs as food, water, clothes and shelter. Here in this essay, the writer has talked about four general human needs which are quite important: work, freedom, good health and friendship.

Besides all these basic needs, the writer demands various things in his life. He demands adventure in his life though there is risk in the adventure. According to him the satisfaction of adventure is something much more solid than a thrill. He desires to have his own room with some books, a motor car, daily bath, a beach or a river within easy reach. He desires all these things but not demands.

The writer thinks himself lucky to enjoy his essential requirements but his enjoyments seem useless if his friends don't find happiness in these requirements. He wants to see healthy people on the planet at work. All the workers at work must find fruits according to their capacities. They should work hard for their profits as well as their friends' well being but not for the profits of others. 

The writer wishes to see the workers controlling their condition of work. As a socialist, he wants to see a condition where workers play their vital roles and control the industry. He wants to see the end of class domination and sex domination. The need for equality among people is essential to achieve fraternity (mutual support/brotherhood). There should be an economic revolution to eradicate class subjection and sex subjection.

The writer prefers to die happily to see capitalism overthrown and the workers in power throughout most of Europe. He wants to see the end of fascism due to which the First World War broke out and the Peace broke down. 

The writer wishes to see the spread of education and the application of scientific methods in all branches of life. Finally, he wishes to die if he can achieve only two conditions of Aristotle's death.


REFERENCES : 

Clarke, A. C. (2009). What I Require from Life: Writings on Science and Life from J. B. S. Haldane. (Vol. 84). (K. Dronamraju, Ed.) Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from Chicago Journals: https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/644658 

Curriculum Development Centre. (2020). English Grade 11. Sanothimi, Bhaktapur: Government of Nepal, Curriculum Development Centre.

Poole, S. (2009, 1 31). Science and Nature Books: What I Require from Life. Retrieved from The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2009/jan/31/what-i-require-from-life-jbs-haldane

Switek, B. (2009, 2 24). Book Review: What I Require From Life, by J.B.S. Haldane. Retrieved from Science Blogs ™ : https://scienceblogs.com/bookclub/2009/02/24/book-review-what-i-require-fro


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