One of life's great stumbling blocks. Good simply cannot exist without bad. This is not just cliche, it's literal. Each designation requires its opposite. You can't define the one without the other. Many of us resist this truth until the bitter end.
Why has the inner landscape of human emotion and existential experience remained largely unmapped despite centuries of philosophical inquiry, and what does this suggest about the limitations of language or reason in capturing the essence of lived life?
I suggest the ‘inner’ landscape of human emotion and existential experience through the lens of philosophical inquiry remains largely unmapped because philosophy is restrained by the necessity for academic discipline and the use of reason to understand the human experience. Thereby, philosophy is a finger pointing to the moon.
The human condition, the restless yearning to understand, our longing for meaning, like the moon, is a mystery to be explored internally, personally experienced and understood. It is not a problem that can be solved by information and reason.
"...then you become a self-conscious, biting, and scratching little animal whose work is not of the slightest value or importance to anybody.”
Certainly being born out here in 2025. I think that this fact is causing our modern civilizations to teeter on the brink of returning to the Middle Ages. Worse, the incredible advancement of our information technologies has accelerated it!
Technology is an amplifier of human values and intentions - both good and bad. The power of Technology has now far outstripped our individual and institutional mechanisms to handle it wisely.
“A light here required a shadow there.”
One of life's great stumbling blocks. Good simply cannot exist without bad. This is not just cliche, it's literal. Each designation requires its opposite. You can't define the one without the other. Many of us resist this truth until the bitter end.
Great and deep thoughts!🌞
Why has the inner landscape of human emotion and existential experience remained largely unmapped despite centuries of philosophical inquiry, and what does this suggest about the limitations of language or reason in capturing the essence of lived life?
I suggest the ‘inner’ landscape of human emotion and existential experience through the lens of philosophical inquiry remains largely unmapped because philosophy is restrained by the necessity for academic discipline and the use of reason to understand the human experience. Thereby, philosophy is a finger pointing to the moon.
The human condition, the restless yearning to understand, our longing for meaning, like the moon, is a mystery to be explored internally, personally experienced and understood. It is not a problem that can be solved by information and reason.
Thank you for this great post today.
I'll take a swing at No 1.
"...then you become a self-conscious, biting, and scratching little animal whose work is not of the slightest value or importance to anybody.”
Certainly being born out here in 2025. I think that this fact is causing our modern civilizations to teeter on the brink of returning to the Middle Ages. Worse, the incredible advancement of our information technologies has accelerated it!
Technology is an amplifier of human values and intentions - both good and bad. The power of Technology has now far outstripped our individual and institutional mechanisms to handle it wisely.
THE ONLY IMPORTANT THING (tho' it's not a 'thing') IS TO HONOR AND LOVE THE HERE AND NOW AND BE PRESENT, CONSCIOUS OF IT.
TECHNOLOGY IS ALIVE AND VERY WELL -- BUT LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE IS THE TRUE PRSENT -- IT'S THE ULTIMATE GIFT. ☮️❤️
Good quotes and thought provoking questions.
Inspired by this post, I wrote this one:
Do have a look!
https://substack.com/@archer2005/note/p-161717516
I love the quote love it!!
Such a beautiful, deep and wise woman. Thank you for this lovely post!