Letty;
Happiness , in the last analysis, chemistry
not-withstanding, and like everything else,
depends on the circumstances that we find ourselves in. As our existentialist friend Sartre
said........"we are all creatures of circumstance".
alikimr, If I subscribed to existentialism, I would agree. Are you familiar with Martin Buber's psychology existentialism?
Thanks for your input, my friend.
Letty:
I gather you are not an Existentialist, in the philosophic sense, at least. No. I am not familiar with Martin Buber's psychology existentialism.
Is it basically materialistic, where existence preceeds essence , or is it idealistic, which anchors itself to Christian foundations?
Existentially speaking, I must say that the best way I can define my state of happiness that I
can muster from my circumstance on this planet earth is to be "less unhappy".
alikimr wrote:......Existentially speaking, I must say that the best way I can define my state of happiness that I
can muster from my circumstance on this planet earth is to be "less unhappy".
alikimr brings up a good point:
all 'happiness' regardless of its source, must be tempered by the awareness that on this planet, all is not 'well'; there are miles, and miles to go before we sleep; and to an extent, 'happiness' comes only from adopting the 'social contract' that we do not drop the 'torch', and seek only our own!
alikimr, Buber theorized that people had either an I/it relationship, or an I/thou relationship, i.e. if we see a tree in the respect of what it can give us, shade, pretty leaves, etc. then we are looking to get things from people as opposed to giving things. The problem with the I/thou part, is that if one decides to talk about the tree, it becomes an I/it relationship. Sooooooo. It seems rather dead end to me.
Bo, and your line of thought is exactly what I was musing about. You're right, but I have never understood what one person could do to keep that torch alive. See you know Frost. <smile>
everyone in Canada, knows both 'Frosts'!
one merely has to change our every descision into a 'world affirming' one
; it's that easy! :wink:
Easy, he says.
Well, for some, perhaps. We Yanks seem to have a bit of trouble with what's easy and what's "I don't give a damn". Hey, I'm workin' on it, Bo.
