navwin » Discussion » Philosophy 101 » meaning
Philosophy 101
Post A Reply Post New Topic meaning Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Huan Yi
Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688
Waukegan

0 posted 2006-11-03 07:50 PM


.


“meaning

inner importance: psychological or moral sense, purpose, or significance”


I recently read Ernest Becker’s The Birth and Death
of Meaning, which frankly being in the end preachy
in a 60-70’s find yourself sort of way was not as good as
his Denial of Death, but both seemed to have essentially
the same theme being that the meaning of life like
faiths in an afterlife were fantasies deliberately self delusional
at some but important level as an alternative to the insanity
that would come if honestly facing reality.

And yet this I question.

The body, ( the cells themselves), even given
a clinically dead brain, will struggle to live on so
without word it states at least what the initial
if not ultimate value is.  If in nature there is this measure
isn’t there then meaning?

If using being alive as the benchmark, can a man then choose to die,
the absolute negation, without it being no more
than the consequence of folly?  


.


© Copyright 2006 John Pawlik - All Rights Reserved
Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
1 posted 2006-11-04 11:28 PM


May you ask the question in simpler terms for this simpleton?    


By the way, it is good to see you back in the forums, Huan.  


Huan Yi
Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688
Waukegan
2 posted 2006-11-05 05:28 AM


.


Becker was basically agreeing
with the existentialists in saying
human meaning is fiction.  It’s
akin to the notion that all human value
is relative, (having no basis in anything
that is not disposable).  This would
argue against Kant who thought there
were universals by which to determine
and measure both.  How we feel about
the sadist or saint is a function of conditioning
and it doesn’t derive from reasoned or intuitive
understanding of any absolute.  

This brings to mind, (though not in a way
I can quote), moments in the old “ The Time Machine”
and more recent “The Thin Red Line” movies
where a character speaks about a “spark”
in each human; Becker and Sartre would smile
or scoff but never agree.


PS, Thanks


.

Huan Yi
Member Ascendant
since 2004-10-12
Posts 6688
Waukegan
3 posted 2006-11-05 09:04 PM


.


“COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. —  Saying that he was a "deceiver and liar" who had given in to his dark side, the Rev. Ted Haggard confessed to sexual immorality Sunday in a letter read from the pulpit of the megachurch he founded”


Thirty million,
(out of six billion),  followed,
and yet is there something
untouched  by this?

It there some spiritual reality
that can only sadly shake its head and smile?


.

Essorant
Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769
Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada
4 posted 2006-11-06 06:41 AM


How about taking it from this angle:  what isn't a meaning?  
Stephanos
Deputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Elite
since 2000-07-31
Posts 3618
Statesboro, GA, USA
5 posted 2006-11-06 03:21 PM


quote:
It there some spiritual reality
that can only sadly shake its head and smile?


Could you elaborate on this question?


Stephen.

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Discussion » Philosophy 101 » meaning

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary