Why modern life feels meaningless
As a musician, listening to a song can teach you a lot, but it’s not the path to rigorous learning. Mastery comes through practice, discipline, and the often uninspiring grind of didactic instruction.
The same principle applies to gaining wisdom. Art and literature are secondary sources to wisdom, philosophy is the primary source.
The same principle applies to gaining wisdom. Art and literature are secondary sources to wisdom, philosophy is the primary source.
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
This is where I disagree. At least on the surface. If the implication is that you go and read the primary texts themselves, of philosophy, which is often considered “Great” philosophy, then you will be doomed. Great philosophy is not always good, helpful, useful. It is great as a result of stirring attention, thought, etc. I think most people do fine without studying philosophy itself. I do think, though, we need to think more, rather than prescribe philosophy as the sole source of wisdom. Wisdom is something learned and gained in action and reflection. Philosophy (as a field) can inspire that, but I do not think it is the only way.
Money and health are nothing more than the means by which we build a meaningful existence. Yet, in the grip of a neoliberal culture, these means have become ends. Money and health, instead of supporting a life of purpose, have become the ultimate purposes of life.
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
Yes. I think my detachment from my health has been downstream of a lack of meaning in my life.
Whatever rhetoric we might preach about mental health and social justice, we know that if we don't make enough money to be self-sufficient, we're next to worthless, we're good for nothing.
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
What once inspired passion and unity is now subordinated to calculation.
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
How many of us actually identify the public good with our own good? For most of us, the outside world exists for our income and our enjoyment. We have a using-based relationship with the world, not a caring one. Again, this is not entirely our fault.
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
So the loss of autonomy, of self-reliance, is the primary driver of the meaning crisis. Work itself is not the problem, it’s 'wage' work: work we don’t care about, work we’re forced to do for the majority of our lives. Everything else follows from this. When we are alienated from our labor—when our best creative energies are spent on meaningless pr... See more
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
Historically, work looked very different. In the 1700s, approximately 90% of Americans were self-employed or engaged in family-owned trades or agriculture. Even by the early to mid-1800s, around 80-85% were independent artisans or farmers, continuing the tradition of self-employment. This dynamic began to shift dramatically with industrialization, ... See more
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
“Man’s search for meaning,” Frankl writes, “is the primary motivation in his life and not a 'secondary rationalization' of instinctual drives.”
Omar F. Najjarine • Why modern life feels meaningless
Love this indirect jab at Freud.
Ever more people today have the means to live, but no meaning to live for.