I respect Schopenhauer's viewpoint, especially its nuances. The simplistic view toward Sisyphus is that effort to rise is futile. Another view could say that even if one fails, the aspiration and striving give humanity a certain nobility of vision. A historian could say that progress has happened over centuries, despite relapses. Humanity generally tries to act by the Golden Rule, but frequently fails. In pardoning human failure, one hopes for improvement, even if society continues to punish and imprison the worst actors. That some nations and states have ended torture and capital punishment indicates a desire for human reform and rehabilitation. Perfection (even momentarily) of moral action, as with saints and heroes, happens and can inspire many to emulation. The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.
Good column, Bret, thanks. I'm struggling with all this, every day. Gonna re-read your piece, keep it handy. Just ask our mutual friend RJ, he knows my gloomy, questioning nature, lol. A good Monday to you.
Bret, you are damned spooky. I missed the philosophers. I was busy ingesting wild music and reading psychology so that I might understand why I'm so peculiar. We're near the same age, you and I. It's a glorious moment when experience dovetails with insight. An age of diminishing desires and diminishing physical possibilities. Such is life. Whatever Schopenhauer has to say about it. As for book reading, I put my mystical hat on to read "Thinking And Destiny" by H.W. Percival, as strange a book as was ever written.
Nobody knows about Thinking And Destiny except for five people that I once met with for a meeting that was humorless. Which tells you everything you need to know about fellow readers of that amazing book.
After. Why miss out on a good meal? I attempted to write a suicide note once but it was so poor as literature that I gave up on the idea of killing myself.
No doom here. Sounds like the Buddha. Kerouac: Wake Up
I respect Schopenhauer's viewpoint, especially its nuances. The simplistic view toward Sisyphus is that effort to rise is futile. Another view could say that even if one fails, the aspiration and striving give humanity a certain nobility of vision. A historian could say that progress has happened over centuries, despite relapses. Humanity generally tries to act by the Golden Rule, but frequently fails. In pardoning human failure, one hopes for improvement, even if society continues to punish and imprison the worst actors. That some nations and states have ended torture and capital punishment indicates a desire for human reform and rehabilitation. Perfection (even momentarily) of moral action, as with saints and heroes, happens and can inspire many to emulation. The best criticism of the bad is the practice of the better.
Well said
- GREAT
Good column, Bret, thanks. I'm struggling with all this, every day. Gonna re-read your piece, keep it handy. Just ask our mutual friend RJ, he knows my gloomy, questioning nature, lol. A good Monday to you.
Bret, you are damned spooky. I missed the philosophers. I was busy ingesting wild music and reading psychology so that I might understand why I'm so peculiar. We're near the same age, you and I. It's a glorious moment when experience dovetails with insight. An age of diminishing desires and diminishing physical possibilities. Such is life. Whatever Schopenhauer has to say about it. As for book reading, I put my mystical hat on to read "Thinking And Destiny" by H.W. Percival, as strange a book as was ever written.
Not too many people know about Thinking and Destiny.
Nobody knows about Thinking And Destiny except for five people that I once met with for a meeting that was humorless. Which tells you everything you need to know about fellow readers of that amazing book.
Well I personally find that a sense of humor is indispensable. Otherwise my only decision would be, should I kill myself after dinner, or before?
insightful
After. Why miss out on a good meal? I attempted to write a suicide note once but it was so poor as literature that I gave up on the idea of killing myself.
just like Rita Hayworth, I believe that Schopenhauer was right! 😉https://youtube.com/clip/UgkxwHGhyG98Zha70Alel-CEYVk5sIFVh6mA?si=7_XQ-tq9ln7bsaxK