Fahim (Year 10)
Editor’s note: Fahim, now in Year 11, wrote this engaging piece whilst in Year 10. William Basson, a young man from a successful family, struggled with traditional education and his father’s expectations, finding solace instead in philosophy and abstract thought. Despite academic challenges and a serious illness, he resolved to take full responsibility for his life, which led to personal growth and eventual success in his own chosen fields. CPD
This story is loosely based on the story of William James
In the grand estate of the Basson’s, perched on a lush hill overlooking the city of Boston, young William always felt like a misfit. The Basson family was the beaming ray of success: his father, Robert, was a successful businessman, his mother, Elizabeth, a revered socialite. His 2 siblings, Alexander and Eleanor, were striving academically. Yet despite his coherent intellect, he found himself questioning the very foundations of the world around him. School was always seen as a chore for William. Was it the rigid structure? The prioritisation of memorisation over pure learning? Or was it the utter lack of philosophical ideology and debate? To put it simply: all of it bored him. His teachers often scolded him for his lack of focus; unable to see the depth of his thoughts hidden behind his distant gaze. William would often sit solitary and alone by the window, contemplating the very nature of existence while others scribbled notes. Often opting to jot down his negative views and ideas in his journal; oblivious to everything around him. In truth William didn’t care about others, he was more hinged by the works of renowned philosophers of the time, being far separated from the mundane lessons taught at school. His father’s disappointment was palpable, and his lack of understanding abundant. “Look William, you are blessed in every way possible, but it’s about time you buck your ideas up and get studying”. William’s response was always the same: silence. How could he explain that he found more solace in the abstract than in the tangible academic achievements his father so valued?
One evening, William stumbled into his father’s office seeking guidance. The air was thick with the scent of old books and polished wood; the scent accompanied by the scratching of pen against paper from his father. William was then starstruck by the framed degrees his father had obtained. But not the inspiring type of starstruck. Deep inside, thoughts flooded his head at the countless hours of studying and hard work he must have spent; just in order to obtain some certificates. “Do you like my certificates” Robert’s jubilant voice cut through the silence. William felt a lump in his throat, his eyes stinging with unshed tears. “They’re … very impressive” William mumbled; his voice barely audible. Robert gave a wide smile to his son, who still had his back turned, flooded with emotion and thought. The burden of his Father’s expectations weighing down on him.
As years went by, Alexander and Eleanor flourished. Both becoming renowned in their respective fields. William, meanwhile, still undecided, graduated from high school. His father, feeling disappointed in his son, leveraged his connections to secure William a place at Harvard University to study medicine. “This is your final chance, William,” Robert warned him. “In a couple year’s time you better be practising medicine.” Reluctantly, William accepted. The daunting task still pressing against his shoulders. It held very little interest for him. Straight from the off, he struggled to keep up with his peers, his mind wandering during lectures on anatomy and physiology. He was acres behind the rest of his classmates as he had been before.
One spring, feeling overwhelmed and semi-depressed, William joined an expedition to the Amazon River. He hoped the journey would offer him clarity, a chance to reflect on his purpose. Instead, it brought him face to face with his mortality. Like a lamb to the slaughter, he contracted smallpox and was forced to return home, his body weakened, his spirit crushed.
Back in Boston, William sank into a deep depression. For he was a wreck. With a sense of underachievement, accompanied by his father’s disappointment, he decided to conduct an experiment – one that would determine the course of his life. He wrote in his journal: “I will now take full responsibility for my actions,” “I will cease to blame outside factors and see if my life improves. If, after one year, I find no improvement, I will accept that I am powerless against the world and end my suffering.” With his renewed values, William approached his studies with a determination he had never shown before. Gradually, he began to see improvements. His grades rose, his understanding deepened, and a newfound confidence took root within him.
The year passed, and William emerged transformed. He completed his medical degree, not out of passion, but out of a newfound sense of discipline and purpose. It was also a huge testament to the substantial amount of money his parents had put into his education. However, his heart lay elsewhere. Going against his father’s wishes, he decided to pursue his everlasting interest in philosophy and psychology. William’s writings soon gained recognition. His essays on epistemology, free will, and mysticism resonated deeply with readers and scholars alike.
Returning to Harvard, he became a professor. His lectures drew students from all disciplines, and they were eager to engage with his profound insights. Along with this, his publications revolutionized the field of psychology, and in doing so he became the 1st person to ever offer psychology as a university course in the United States.
One evening, many years later, as William stood before a packed lecture hall. He looked out at the eager faces of his students and felt a profound sense of fulfilment. With a capacious smile, he began his lecture. “Around 10-15 years ago, I was sat in this very hall with no clue what I wanted for myself” he began. “If there is 1 lesson to take away from my teachings, it is that you should believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact”.
In the end, it was not the accolades or the wealth that defined William’s legacy, but the profound impact of his ideas. He had turned his philosophical musings into a body of work that would influence generations to come, proving that true greatness lies not in conforming to others’ expectations, but in embracing one’s true self.
Bibliography
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_James
https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-James
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