Such is life! What an ambiguous observation. It shouldn’t however complicate the matter any more than it already is because since Aristotle the definition of life has been concluded as either hugely various or totally impossible.
Life is a quality that distinguishes matter that has biological processes, such as signaling and self-sustaining processes, from matter that does not. It is defined descriptively by the capacity for homeostasis, organisation, metabolism, growth, adaptation, response to stimuli, and reproduction. All life over time eventually reaches a state of death, and none is immortal. Many philosophical definitions of living systems have been proposed, such as self-organizing systems.
If it helps, the definition of death is similarly ambitious though equally equivocal. In the end, no matter what the event, we can only metaphorically raise our hands and part their grasp to include all possibility of description. The intent is either to include or omit whatever we may have anticipated or believe to have foreseen. In reality however we haven’t a clue about where it all came from or where it goes.
Life is simply a mystery. The best we can hope for is a comfortable accommodation of whatever transpires. We have formulated a multitude of ways to do so but we have at the same time proven than none of them is guaranteed to achieve its objective.
Nonetheless there remains a certain utility in the abbreviated assertion, “Such is life!” The Cambridge dictionary provides its own definition: namely, “used to refer to an event that has happened and that you must accept, because you know that this is the way life is”. This is hardly an explanation of much depth. It merely reiterates that if something happens, then it happened. To pretend otherwise is patently ludicrous. It does however enfold the reality in the guise of acceptance which is interestingly an emotional content that goes beyond the empirical reality. This I believe most accurately captures the meaning of the phrase; namely, acceptance.
Acceptance in this context is frequently advanced as a last resort or at least some sort of palliative for an otherwise bad situation.
But acceptance is as often the source of considerable contribution and improvement. It can by contrast be indicative of insight rather than enigma or, what is more likely, overt avoidance. It is a reminder that ignorance is often an obstacle or obstruction to understanding and community or cooperation. Pronouncing, “Such is life!” need not be a bad thing or a submission. It may also be a celebration.
We all know that whatever the interpretation it will in no way change the truth of the adage. Living our life is not an alternative. Certainly how we live life may make a difference; but it will never change the ultimate conclusion, “Such is life!” That too may be another message with the simplified text; namely, get on with it. “Such is life!” is but a summary preamble to whatever our next step along this mystical path of life will be.
