My Human Condition
While I am still questioning the importance of religion in my life, philosophy and the human condition are things that I know affect me. The problem of evil was something I'd considered often, even if I never realized that it was an important theological and philosophical question. This course has helped me find a way around this problem, even if I haven't answered it. Also, like Pascal says, I see anxiety and boredom in every person, including myself. I realize that I need to make some changes in my life. It's not that easy though because there are many things to consider. Like Fromm says, I am constantly feeling anxiety due to my feelings of seperation from others, and like Buddha says, I am trying to fill my life with materials that only make problems worse. The realization of these problems is alone not enough to conquer them, so I must consider the solutions that the philosophers present. Buddha says that the root of unhappiness and pain is in man's selfishness, and if we can overcome that then we can overcome suffering. Fromm suggests that it has to do with finding personal unity. I firmly believe that it takes and examined life to find true happiness. In order to find my own personal happiness it is imperative that I continue to study the human condition and apply it to my life. In the words of Aristotle, I must choose to steer my own ship.