4 ms·
> craving for a catastrophic scenario like that to unfold so they can feel part of something greater than themselves This reminds me of a recent piece in the N
by jordanpg 7y ago
> craving for a catastrophic scenario like that to unfold so they can feel part of something greater than themselves
This reminds me of a recent piece in the NYT about despair[1]. I thought that a discussion of meaning was conspicuously absent. I think that religion and civic life has so utterly failed to provide any substantive meaning of life for most people in a manifestly secular world, that is isn't the least bit surprising to me that a growing number of people are experiencing existential despair.
A genuine catastrophic scenario can easily be seen as a source of richness, excitement, and meaning that many deeply crave, even if they don't realize it consciously. We humans are starved for such meaning.
[1] http://archive.ph/Qhjyn http://archive.ph/Qhjyn
- cameronbrown 7y agoThis is why I really do believe that family (or the opportunity to have a fam) is all we have.
- kranner 7y agoWhat about art, mathematics, fiction, music, etc?
- cameronbrown 7y agoThose things are important, even special, but at the end of your life, you'll want family by your side, not a painting.
- kranner 7y agoBut that's quite different from your original statement. We weren't talking about what matters at the end of one's life. You simply said "[family is] all we have". I think it's fair to interpret that as applicable to any point in one's life, or broadly all of one's life (barring emergencies), not just on one's deathbed. Life is pretty long. It's great to have family, and I love mine. But I can't admire them all day.
- jordanpg 7y agoMy instinct tells me that the fraction of the human population which derives substantial, enduring meaning from art, mathematics, fiction, music, etc. is extremely slim. These things are complementary or perhaps supplementary to a larger void of cosmic meaning. As Camus wrote: > There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. To me, art, mathematics, fiction, music, etc. are not what comes to mind when I answer that question.
- kranner 7y agoAs I recall about The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus concluded that life is fundamentally absurd and meaningless, and "what counts ... is the most living." The absurd man of Camus "enjoys a freedom with regard to common rules." [had to look that up] So I don't think Camus would necessarily accept family as universally what makes life worth living, if that is what you meant. To me, the rejection of art, mathematics, fiction, music makes life that much less worth living. Family is one of my essential values, but so are many other things. It is not a competition in any sense.