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Camus thought it was the noblest of pursuits to try and create meaning in an absurd universe. Jung, thought meaning was the one thing a person couldn't abide li
by mftb 4y ago
Camus thought it was the noblest of pursuits to try and create meaning in an absurd universe. Jung, thought meaning was the one thing a person couldn't abide living without. With those thoughts I think you're in pretty good company.
- icu 4y agoThank you for the comment. The word that struck me most in your reply was "absurd". It's a very accurate description. I had always thought the word "horror" was a good label, and "cosmic horror" was a good way of describing a suffering life where you eventually die. We are like cosmic ants on our little ant hill of a planet that can be kicked over by any number of events not least self inflicted annihilation through nuclear war. It makes sense to me that most people without meaning will fall into distraction, hedonism or nihilism. In a way I was lucky as my meaning was thrust on me as a parent. The best way I've heard it put is that the voluntary acceptance of responsibility creates meaning. That said, I was never going to shirk my responsibilities as a parent. Having someone else who needed me gave me the meaning necessary to endure enormous suffering, to never let go, and to keep pushing through. If I wasn't a parent I don't know how I would have done. It's strange now to reflect because my life is so much better now and I'm oddly thankful for the ordeal.
- mftb 4y agoI'm glad it resonated, as your comment did with me. I think your comment here about responsibility and meaning is really insightful. You might enjoy some Camus or Gogol.